GIVE IT TO YOGI
UNITED LATEST HUGHES TIP FOR BOSS Si backs old team-mate for Tannadice position
SIMON DONNELLY last night insisted John Hughes is tailor-made to propel Dundee United back to the Premiership.
Former United assistant Donnelly is a big fan of ex-Celtic team-mate Hughes who is in the running to take over the vacant Tannadice hotseat in the wake of Ray McKinnon’s dismissal after Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Inverness.
Donnelly was sacked along with manager Jackie McNamara back in September 2015 having led the Tangerines to the Scottish Cup Final as well as the League Cup Final during their two-year tenure on Tayside.
His old club were last night stepping up their search for McKinnon’s replacement with Jim McIntyre, Alan Stubbs and Steven Pressley also in the frame.
But Donnelly, who starred alongside centre-back Hughes for the Hoops in the 90’s, is convinced the ex-Falkirk and Inverness gaffer is ideally cut out to take over the reins at the Championship outfit.
Donnelly said: “Big Yogi would be a great fit for Tannadice, I’m not just saying that because I know him.
“He’s a lively character and is ideal for any dressing room that needs lifted.
“I haven’t seen that much of Dundee United this season but it seems they have some very good players who should probably be doing a bit better in terms of results.
“I’m sure he would jump at the chance of the job. If he got it, then he would stir up the dressing room in the right sort of way.”
Hughes has been out of work since his last job with Raith towards the end of last season but Donnelly insists the 53-year-old’s burning desire will never dampen.
He added: “Yogi knows the Scottish scene well.
“He did ever so well to get Falkirk up from the Championship to the top flight a while back and then, of course, he won the Scottish Cup with Inverness not so long ago.
“I know things maybe didn’t go so well for him at Raith but there’s no doubt he relishes a challenge and has shown he can deliver.
“I haven’t spoken to him for a while but you know he’s one guy whose passion for football will never disappear.”
Donnelly spent two seasons in the dugout on Tayside and has no doubts his old club are a sad omission from the Premiership following relegation under Mixu Paatelainen in 2016.
He said: “Dundee United are a Premiership club. I had some great times up there and know how much the club means to their fans.
“When you see Hibs back up in the Premiership and the Edinburgh derby back on the cards – as well as the Old Firm derby – you really need the Dundee derby as well.
“It’s a real football city with so much potential. When you think of United’s potential, they are a genuine miss from the top flight.
“We had some great derbies during our time in charge there.”