Ray reckons not going up could help United
RAY McKINNON knows the biggest prize of Dundee United’s season would be promotion back to the top flight rather than the Irn-Bru Cup they’ll strive to win tomorrow.
But the Tannadice boss insists that failure to bounce straight back up will not disrupt his plans to rebuild the club from top to bottom.
McKinnon has a masterplan to rejuvenate the fallen giants and intends to stick to it even if they have to suck up another season in the second tier. In fact, he believes it wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to United if they get one more year out of the firing line from Scotland’s big guns while the club gets its house in order.
McKinnon said: “We would love to go up but look at Hibs. They’ve been down there for three season and Rangers were two years in the Championship before they made it back up.
“It’s difficult and you do have to restructure and rebuild. You could say another season in the Championship may be beneficial in some respects but ultimately we want to be in the Premiership.
“We would like to go up this year. It would hurt us financially if we don’t go up.
“But we’re building a squad here. There are a lot of players out of contract in the summer and there are a lot who probably won’t get new deals because they’re the wrong age and the squad was put together quickly.
“We will also be looking to recruit someone to bring all the scouting elements together. But that won’t be announced until nearer the end of the season.
“There’s a lot of work to be done but it would be a nice boost if we can win this cup and then not have to defend it next season because we’re back in the Premier League.
“We want to win it just now because that would be great for the fans.
“They were all hurting after relegation so it would be nice if we could get them a piece of silverware to tide them over and give them something to cheer.”