WE’RE OPEN TO CSABA’S NEW IDEAS

IRN-BRU CUP Paul sure early meeting with boss will get United players all fired up

PAUL McMULLAN insists new Dundee United boss Csaba Laszlo has already won over the Tannadice dressing room with his friendly open-door policy.

The Hungarian only took over in the United hotseat on Wednesday but has made an instant impression.

The 53-year-old former Uganda and Lithuania international manager arrived on Tayside with a wealth of experience as well as a strong reputation for caring for his players so much so that they’re prepared to go the extra mile for him when it matters most on the pitch.

And McMullan, who’s hoping for a timely recall ahead of today’s visit of Irish Premiership outfit Crusaders, said: “It’s been good so far. We had a meeting on Thursday, the day after the new manager came in. Basically, he wants to build on what we’ve been doing for the past couple of weeks.

“He said over the next week or two he’ll probably put his own stamp on things with bits and pieces.

“He’s just been having a look at everyone and seeing what’s there. It was a good exercise. He was really open.

“He said if anyone had any questions, they could chat to him at any time. That’s always positive to hear. It feels like a fresh start.”

Laszlo was in charge of Hearts from 2008-2010. As well as guiding the Jambos to third in 2009, he grabbed headlines for his sometimes colourful comments.

But 21-year-old McMullan is convinced Ray McKinnon’s successor has got what it takes to hoist them out of the Championship and seal a dream return to top-flight football.

He added: “I’m a bit young to remember what he was like at Hearts. Obviously when he was first linked with the job, a few of the boys had to look online to see his credentials and where he’d been.

“By all accounts, he’d done really well last year at the team he was at in Slovakia. So hopefully he does very well here too and gets us promoted.

“It’s the gaffer’s first game in charge so it’s all about trying to impress and taking any opportunity that come your way.

“I’m sure the manager will use this tie to get a couple of his own ideas across with a view to the Falkirk league game the following weekend.”

Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter will always be grateful to Laszlo for rolling out the red carpet for him just days before he was sacked by Hearts.

But that won’t stop the Northern Irishman trying to wreck his Dundee United dugout debut.

Baxter , whose side sit third in the Irish Premiership, spent a week at Tynecastle as part of his UEFA Pro Licence course.

He said: “We were there for five days and watched them training and went to the Aberdeen game. It was a tough week for Csaba because they lost the game and he lost the job.

“I will always be grateful to him but it won’t stop me trying to put one over him.

“We’re on a good run and pleased with what we’re about at the moment – we’ve scored 17 goals in our last five games – so we’re going in the right direction.”

PAUL McMULLAN BY EUAN McLEAN