Jim’s home rule worked for Utd kids

WHEN Dundee United chairman Mike Martin last week announced the club would restore a historic rule from Jim McLean’s era, it sparked a host of memories for former defender Jackie Copland.

The ex-Terror, who played for the Tannadice club from 1970-76, was a defensive stalwart under McLean – who brought him to the club from Stranraer after a spell in the juniors with Beith.

As a young player, Jackie was subject to McLean’s rule that players must reside in the Tayside area while playing for the club.

Something not disimilar to Martin’s vision of Csaba Laszlo’s squad living within a 25-mile radius of the city.

Jackie, who started and finished his football career at boyhood heroes St Mirren, admits the move will have pros and cons for United.

“When I first moved up to Dundee it was a rule that you had to stay within the local area,” he said.

“The club had a hostel in Broughty Ferry for young players, the likes of Walter Smith stayed there.

“He would stay there during the week and travel home to the west at the weekend, like a lot of boys did.

“I think it was beneficial as it gave the manager a chance to assess the young players.

“It was fine at first but when I became a senior player I wasn’t happy with it.

“I spoke to Jim McLean and, eventually, made an agreement that I would travel up with Andy Gray from Glasgow every day.

“Trying to get senior players to come through might, obviously, become an issue. However, a few guys like Alan Gordon would travel through from Edinburgh.

“It may be difficult, now, to get experienced players to relocate with the commitments they have like young kids and houses – that could cause an issue for Csaba.

“That’s before you even get to the problem of fighting other teams financially.”

Jackie left the club to re-join the