Dundee United striker David Goodwillie can light up the SPL when the new season starts, according to his Tannadice pal David Robertson.
Goodwillie has been on the receiving end of some stinging criticism from Tangerines boss Peter Houston this pre-season but had his manager smiling again with a dynamic display against Raith Rovers on Tuesday.
Hampden hero Goodwillie bagged a brace and made another goal for Robertson in his side’s 5-0 hammering of Rovers.
Now the feeling is he is ready to torment opponents when the real action gets under way against St Mirren on August 14.
“I had been speaking to Goodie and he wasn’t happy himself with the way he had played this summer,” revealed Robertson.
“He certainly put things right against Raith, scoring twice and setting one up for me. In fact, he was immense.
“This is a massive season for him and I think he will really take off this year.
“Towards the end of last season he showed what a good player he is.
“He scored a stunning goal in the Scottish Cup final and looked the player we all knew he could be.
“He is still only 21, which is amazing because he seems to have been around for ever.
“He had a lot of pressure when he was very young but he has come through that and has been in and around the first team for five years now.
“I am not surprised teams are supposedly sniffing around him and if he can keep progressing it won’t be long until Craig Levein is thinking about him for Scotland.
“The old gaffer knows what he is capable of so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise.
“But, as I am sure Goodie would admit himself, that is something for the future not right now.”
As for himself, Robertson’s aim for the new campaign is to be seen as more than just a good player to bring off the bench.
“This season is huge for me because it wasn’t until the end of last season I started playing regularly,” he said.
“When Craig Levein left I spoke to Housty and to be fair to him he gave me a chance.’Super sub'”I have this reputation as a super sub, but I hate it. It is the worst tag in football, nobody wants to be known for that.
“Obviously it is great to be known for scoring the odd important goal, but I want to do it from the start, rather than just getting 10 minutes here and there.
“But that is up to me. I have to do enough to catch the manager’s eye and I think that if I can steer clear of injury then I can do it.”
Two new trialists made an appearance at Stark’s Park on Tuesday.
Nigerian-born Johnbull Omeregie and Nigel Hasselbaink, the nephew of ex-Chelsea and Leeds star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, both came off the bench late on.
United boss Houston said, “Johnbull has been training with the youths for the last few weeks so I am having a look at him.
“The other one, Nigel Hasselbaink, is from Holland and played for Go-Ahead Eagles across there.
“He is a winger and has been recommended by a contact.
“We will have a look at them and also at Irmantas Zelmikas again.
“He is going to come down to Hull at the weekend.
“That will be a big test as they have kept a few Premiership players and will be out to impress.
“We need to get Irmantas tested.
“He has done well but, all respect to the teams we have played so far, I think this will be a different level altogether.”