Ray’s praise for young defender

DUNDEE United gaffer Ray McKinnon has praised teenage full-back Jamie Robson for the way he handled a dip in form at the weekend.

The 18-year-old has played a starring role at leftback this season when asked to stand i n when regular starter Paul Dixon has been injured.

Two major knee injuries suffered by “Dicker” means the kid has now been asked to do that on 12 occasions since the end of July.

And until Saturday’s draw at Morton, he’s hardly put a foot wrong.

He did struggle in the first 45 minutes at Cappielow but what impressed his manager was the way he bounced back from that.

Ray f e l t R o b s o n ’s performance second half was much more like his usual self.

“Young Jamie was off it a bit i n t he first half on Saturday, there’s no doubt about that,” said Ray.

“But he went out in the second and handled a good player i n the boy Ross Forbes in the second half.

“Jamie is only 18 and not had a l ot of first-team football — the way he’s played it’s easy to forget that.

“But you will get games like Saturday at that age, ones where there is a dip. “What was encouraging for us was that the kid recovered from a shaky start and did better as the game went on.

“He’s been outstanding for us in every other game and we’re very pleased.”

Robson’s service looks likely to be required for at least one more game — the table-topping clash with Hibs on Friday week.

Dixon continues to recover well from his medial ligament strain but is not likely to be fully fit until towards the middle of next month.

United’s Development game with St Johnstone last night was postponed.

Dundee United’s Jamie Robson — pictured in action against Dunfermline — has been “outstanding”.