THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT AT TANNADICE
MICKY MELLON says the door is wide open for his Dundee United kids to follow in the footsteps of 17-year-old Lewis Neilson.
Mellon has already brought a number of youngsters into his first team since pre-season.
He handed teenage defender Neilson his debut in United’s Premiership opener with St Johnstone and he said: “Lewis is a real talent. I’d seen him in and around the Scotland Under-17s because my own boy is in there too.
“I saw him and Chris Mochrie and I knew they were Dundee United players so when I came in, he impressed me.
“I didn’t play him last weekend because he was young, I played him because he was the one best placed to do the job we needed three.
“I don’t care what age they are, if they are good enough to help us win a game of football then I’ll put them in.
“I got the youth team together and told them they saw on Saturday if they work hard the opportunities will be there for them.
“As a club, we have invested heavily in young talent and the academy here is brilliant.
“There are some terrific young players and it’s my job to find opportunities for them.
“If we can bring through players from a recruitment pool which is our own then it’s a win-win for the club.
“Also, for people who want to come and play with Dundee United they can see those chances will be there.”
United will take on Motherwell at Fir Park this weekend and Mellon went to Dingwall on Monday to watch them in action at Ross County
He said: “That’s the furthest north I have been in my life.
“It was a good game and I know just how difficult a game it’s going to be when we play them both. From what I have seen of the league so far, it’s a tough division and the teams are all relatively well matched.
“One thing for certain is you are going to have to be good to pick up points in this league.”
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson is no stranger to Mellon as he came up against him as a player and also when he was in charge at Oldham.
Mellon said: “I know him well. I am fortunate that I probably know all the managers who work here.
“I’ve either played against them or managed against them. A lot of them have had spells in England including Neil Lennon, so I have a good sporting relationship with them.”