Ex-Utd defender takes Tannadice values Stateside

DUNDEE United’s Scottish Cup hero Brian Welsh has revealed how he is bringing some workingclass values to the posh suburbs of Northern Virginia.

The former Tannadice central defender, man-of-the-match as the Tangerines lifted the famous silverware at Hampden for the first time by beating hot favourites Rangers in 1994, is currently based in the United States.

Welsh has been head coach of his very own franchise, Northern Virginia United, since January 2018 and it is a family affair, with sons Daniel and Michael also on the backroom team.

He was a talented but no-nonsense player in his time – as Ibrox stars Mark Hateley, Gordon Durie and Ally McCoist found out that memorable May 21st day – and has made it his mission to instil some good, old-fashioned Scottish working-class realism in the players who now cross his path.

Speaking to the Dode Fox podcast, the 51-year-old revealed how the knowledge he collected from two very different types of managers – legendary disciplinarian Jim McLean and relaxed Hampden hero Ivan Golac – is being passed on to eager young Americans.

“There is plenty to keep me busy over here,” said Welsh of his Stateside home.

“We live in a very affluent area in Northern Virginia and there is a lot of money about – a lot of entitlement.

“What I can do because of what I have seen and done in my career is pass my knowledge on to them.

“I have to get it into the players that if you want something then you have to work for it.

“That gives them a kind of working-class mentality.

“That is something I have brought over here from Scotland,” added Welsh, who made 177 appearances for the Tangerines.

“I have my own club, Northern Virginia United, and it is the franchise model over here. My boys are also involved in the coaching.

“Sadly, we never managed to play this year because of Covid-19 but I hope to get back into it and start building things up a bit now.”