Dundee United manager Csaba Laszlo has shot down the suggestion that the clash against Falkirk will be his first “real” game in charge.
The Tangerines suffered an embarrassing defeat at home to Northern Irish side Crusaders on Saturday in the Irn-Bru Cup and you might have thought the new Tannadice boss would jump at the chance to downplay that result.
However, the Romanian-born Hungarian instead dismissed any notion that last weekend’s horrible exit from an uninspiring competition didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Asked if Sunday’s home Championship match meeting with the Bairns would mark the legitimate beginning of his United career, Laszlo said: “Is it the real start in the league? Yes.
“This is not my first game, though.
“That was in the cup, which was an important match for me.
“I was angry that we lost because it was not a friendly.
“Even if it were a friendly game it would still be important because it would give a player the chance to show his talent and attitude.
“I don’t want to talk about having an A, B or C team – we are Dundee United.
“If you have the jersey on the pitch then, for me, this is the first team.
“So don’t hide behind that and just think ‘Oh, I’m young’ or a senior player who hadn’t been playing or had been rested.
“That is not OK.
“We scored a very nice goal and went in front but then we were thinking that the game was over and that we didn’t have to do too much.
“There were a lot of mistakes, especially before the two goals, and our organisation and discipline were not good and we lost the game.
“For me it was a signal that you have to change some things.”
Nevertheless, Laszlo finds himself in an enviable position for an incoming boss, with the Tangerines level on points with St Mirren at the top of the Championship.
With the Buddies not playing until the following Saturday, United can become outright leaders by Sunday evening.
Laszlo said: “For me what matters is that at the end of the season we are still at the top.
“That way the job is done.
“Every single game you try to win and that gives you confidence.
“This is what this team needs.
“I am really happy to be at Dundee United because I know from the past – my time in the Premier League – that is was usually always a full stadium for games against them.
“The fans are very noisy and very passionate – people who deserve to see their team back in the top league.
“We can talk here about an absence of two years but these fans feel a part of this club and come every week – home and away – in huge numbers.
“We need to show to them responsibility.”
Asked if it were the first time he had taken over a side at the right end of the table, he added: “No, because it was the same at Ferencvaros.
“Anyway, we are not quite top yet!
“Listen, it is OK for me.
“Last year I took over a club that was at the bottom of the league (DAC Dunajská Streda in Slovakia) so I know both things.
“So I have taken over a team that is near the top but I want to get top on our own and then keep that position and be champions.”
The Tannadice gaffer looks like having the benefit of an injury-free pool of players for the Bairns game.
He said: “We have a full squad at the moment.
“We have had, in my opinion, some excellent training.
“The players don’t need a holiday, they need work. You get enough free time and now we need to be focused.
“I see it as being a group of 18 because it is important to say that it is not just about the first 11 players.
“During matches the bench is very important and can help change games.”
