Butcher: Gaffer deserves credit for Utd success

CALUM Butcher has hailed boss Robbie Neilson for making t he c h a nges needed to get Dundee United within touching distance of a return to the Premiership.

Butcher has praised Robbie for bringing the ‘right characters’ into the Terrors’ dressing-room in his 18 months in charge as they close in on the Championship title.

It’s been a l ong four years fighting it out in the second tier but, on the cusp of bringing topflight football back to Tannadice, 28-year-old Butcher believes they have gone full circle from soft touch to champions.

He, in part, puts their success down to the arrival of 29-goal sensation Lawrence Shankland but insists the Tangerines are much more than one player.

“I think that would be unfair to say,” the Englishman said.

“You don’t listen too much to what’s going on out there.

“I think, ultimately, Dundee United have struggled to get up the past few years because they haven’t had the right characters in the dressing-room.

“That’s been the biggest problem but I think that’s all changed since the gaffer’s come in. He’s brought the right people that want to do well for the club and it’s not been like that for a while.

“Signing Shanks was a massive part of that because we needed a goalscorer but he can only score if we get assists to him.

“We’ve kept l oads of clean sheets throughout the season and been hard to beat, too.

“We have been the best team in the league and that’s why we are where we are.

“It’s been a consistent team and a solid team. Over the years, Dundee United hasn’t been a tough side or a settled side but we’ve had that.

“People can say what they want but if we win the league that’s all that matters.

“There’s a very good team spirit and the gaffer works us hard. There’s been a lot of sessions and a lot of graft right from the start of pre-season.

“It’s not just one or two weeks, it’s every week with double sessions and in the gym.”

With United sitting 18 points