TIME TO FIND A NEW GEAR Saints, Staggies eye Gogic
NICKY CLARK believes the New Year will see Dundee United roar back into the top six.
United have been there for most of the season but slipped out of it after their defeat to Hibs before the break.
Clark insists that slump was down to injuries and Covid outbreaks that left the squad decimated.
United are expected to be at full strength after the break and could even add Tony Watt, who has agreed a pre-contract move from Motherwell.
Striker Clark said: “We started the season well.
“Recently, things haven’t been going as well as we’d have liked but you hit those patches.
“It’s down to us to come through it. The squad is brilliant, the boys are so close in the dressing room.
“It’s probably one of the closest I’ve been involved in and it helps that the majority of the boys live up here. Whether it’s going for dinner or even for a coffee after training, it brings you together.
“When times get tough, we have that togetherness to pull us through.”
United missed out on the top six last season but got to the last four of the Scottish Cup, where they lost to Hibs.
New boss Tam Courts has made them a more attacking side and they ended Rangers’ unbeaten run in the league with a 1-0 win this season. They have
ST MIRREN and Ross County are set to battle it out to land Hibs midfielder Alex Gogic.
The Cyprus international is in the final six months of his contract and the Premiership pair have made the Easter Road club aware they want him.
New Hibs boss Shaun lacked goals recently but Clark wants to recapture his form of last season to help on that front.
The return of Marc McNulty from injury will help and if Watt can be brought in early that would be another bonus.
Reflecting on the last year Clark said: “There have been ups and downs.
“Last season, getting to the Scottish Cup semi-final was good. We wanted to win it, but getting there was good for us.
“We would have loved to have finished in the top six and I think we missed out by a point so that was disappointing but going into this season has been brilliant so far.”
United return with a home game against St Mirren and a Scottish Cup trip to Kilmarnock before Ross County come to Tannadice and United go to Celtic.
The Dundee derby has been put back until February 1 and Clark is keen that United hang on to the recent bragging rights in that game.
He said: “I’ve played in a few derbies up here and they’re excellent.
“I’ve been fortunate to win the majority of them.
“I’m looking forward to that game, hopefully it’s a full crowd at Dens
“The fans will be pleased the game has been changed, they’ll be looking forward to it. Hopefully they will all be allowed in.”
EXCLUSIVE
Maloney is looking to strengthen his side and could let Gogic leave to free up funds.
If he does, Saints and County are likely to face opposition for his signature from England and abroad.