Ex-Dee Frail set right-hand man

FORMER Hearts boss Stevie Frail is on the verge of being appointed as Micky Mellon’s Dundee United No 2.

Frail – whose playing career began at Dens Park with rivals Dundee – will be named Tangerines assistant manager before the end of the week.

He is a former Tranmere Rovers team-mate of United boss Mellon.

The 50-year-old has left his role as Northern Ireland’s U/17s and U/19s coach, which he has held for four-and-a-half years, to take up the Tangerines position.

Frail managed the Jambos during the Vladimir Romanov era, taking the reins in 2007/08 before being dismissed by the controversial businessman.

He became a development coach at Celtic in 2009, spending six years at Lennoxtown until his departure.

Frail has also worked as a scout for Bolton Wanderers.

With United coaches Lee McCulloch and Gordon Forrest leaving in the wake of Robbie Neilson’s move to Hearts, new gaffer Mellon has been assisted by head of player pathway Brian Grant and Tannadice legend Dave Bowman, now player transition coach.

Meanwhile, Mellon declared himself satisfied with his side’s display in the convincing friendly victory on the road against a Rangers B team.

With a week and a half to go before the August 1 Premiership kick-off, the Tangerines won 4-1 at the Rangers Training Centre at Auchenhowie thanks to goals from former Light Blues forward Nicky Clark, Calum Butcher, Lawrence Shankland and Dillon Powers.

Gers’ second-string XI, managed by former Dens captain Kevin Thomson, featured several first-team players, including summer signing Calvin Bassey, Greg Stewart, Greg Docherty, Ross McCrorie and Jordan Jones.

Mellon told ArabZONE: “You come to a place like this, you know you’re going to face a group of players that are very talented and will ask different questions to what we’ve faced in pre-season.

“We were able to answer those questions. To come here and score four goals, we’re pleased.

“It’s a big step forward in our pre-season preparations. They were well-worked goals and in our performance there was a lot of stuff we’ve worked on already.

“I found out some more stuff (about the group) as well today.

Stevie Frail during his days as a Dundee midfielder. Stevie Frail spent six years on the coaching staff at Celtic and also had a