Benji confident he’ll step up to top-flight mark

BENJAMIN Siegrist reckons playing for Dundee United has already made him a better goalkeeper.

But the Tangerines stopper believes stepping up to the Premiership will help him take another leap forward.

The Swiss keeper kept 12 clean sheets as United surged to the Championship title last season.

Siegrist’s contribution did not go unnoticed by Tannadice gaffer Robbie Neilson, who believes there is even more to come from the 28-year-old.

And, after helping United to promotion, the man himself feels confident he can continue to improve in the top flight.

“The manager is right, I’ve only had two years with regular topteam football here,” said Siegrist.

“I had a couple in Switzerland where I played regularly but coming over here there was a little adjustment time of how Scottish football works.

“I had to figure it out and my mindset has always been to try to learn as much as I can.

“As a goalkeeper, the more you train and the more games you get, you develop a certain sensitivity and start to read the game.

“Goalkeeping is a lot about experience, so I had to catch up on some experiences.

“I felt towards the end of the season before I played well and then, when the summer came, it was a short one and we got back into it.

“I had high aspirations for the team and myself and what I can do.

“Next season will be a step up in a better league. It’s going to be a test for me and I’m just trying to learn as much as I can.

“Neil Alexander, our goalie coach, has been hugely successful playing for Scotland and Rangers in big games so I’m trying to learn from him.

“We train a lot and try to talk a lot about why we do things, as well as analysing situations after the game.

“I’m hoping to take another step forward in the coming season.”

If Siegrist achieves his goal, he will do so at better-quality stadiums than he has been used to so far in Scotland.

However, he is no stranger to top-quality venues, having previously spent a season playing