Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Coote ready to step up for Tangerines
JUST a couple of months ago, if you told Ali Coote he was in line to be involved in a cup final with Dundee United, the teenager would probably have raised an eyebrow.
And if you’d said his role would be as a central striker, his eyes might just have popped out of his head.
But football’s a funny game and an off-the-cuff chat with a member of the Tannadice coaching staff has led to him being considered for a place in tomorrow’s Challenge Cup Final against St Mirren.
Always regarded as a talent who had a big future, followers of the United youth teams will know Coote’s emergence through the ranks has been mainly as a wide player.
But that’s all changed since the turn of the year and left him in line for involvement at Fir Park as the Tangerines aim to get their hands on the one domestic trophy they’ve never won.
“The Development squad lacks an out-and-out goalscorer and I was speaking with one of our coaches, Stevie Leahy, and we thought my going up top might be an option,” explained Coote.
“Then, it was the game against Falkirk I think, Dave Bowman read the team out and he said I had the No 9 shirt.
“It was a bit of a surprise but I did well and then went on to score a few goals, so I’ve stayed there.”
He didn’t just stay there, and after catching boss Ray McKinnon’s eye in those second string outings, he’s found himself on the first-team bench in recent weeks.
He’s not just been there for the experience and most of his run-outs have come when games were still in the balance — something he admits has given him a boost.
“I am still young but the manager has shown he trusts me when he’s sent me on in tight games and there’s still a job to be done.
“I think I’ve done well in those outings, including a couple in this cup. We’ve got through each time, so it’s been OK.
“The gaffer has spoken to me about