Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Courts will not be fazed if pitched into battle with Gerrard
DUNDEE United academy chief Andy Goldie insists Thomas Courts will be unfazed if pitted against Steven Gerrard in the Tannadice dugout this weekend.
United host Premiership leaders Rangers on Sunday and it’s unclear whether boss Micky Mellon and his coaching staff will all return in time after a coronavirus outbreak hit the backroom team.
Head of tactical performance Courts took the Terrors in last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Livingston, assisted by fellowacademy coach Adam Asghar, minus nine players also ruled out because of Covid precautions.
Although they didn’t get the result they were after, Goldie reckons Courts should be proud of the way he acquitted himself and would have no concerns over him doing the same against the Gers.
“He’s a very intelligent and humble man, so he isn’t fazed at all,” the United academy director said.
“That’s his natural environment, first-team management, and that’s where he’ll be one day.
“He’s on a development journey with us at the moment, having a real impact on our young academy players, and that will be the same at first-team level sometime in the future I’m sure. Potentially going up against Rangers and Steven Gerrard won’t faze the guys.
“The level of preparation and the detail they go into with the academy probably can’t be matched at a number of first teams.
“We’re already operating at a high-performance level so it’s just the same. It’s basically lifting our methods and transferring them across to players of an older age with more experience.
“The guys are all great at manmanagement and they work hard to give the players the best situation possible so it’s the exact same.
“That’s why they’ve taken it in their stride because there’s not a lot changed for us in how we operate and work.”
Goldie says there was never a question over who the club would promote to temporary gaffer while Mellon was out, insisting former Kelty Hearts boss Courts was always top of the list.
The former SFA Performance School coach also revealed he was quick to rule himself out of the running.
“That’s what we’re all about at
Dundee United,” the 35-year-old added.
“Since we came in back in January of last year we’ve made our academy not just about developing players but staff, too.
“When an opportunity like this comes up, there was no decision to be made.
“We work with a real pathway within the club and that includes the staffing structure as well.
“They are the coaches, long gone are my days of being able to coach. I’ve probably forgotten how, to be honest!
“There was absolutely no chance, even if offered, I’d have stood in their way. We’d have always promoted Tam and Adam.”
Goldie is now looking for Courts and Asghar to make the next step in their coaching journey, tipping both for first-team management roles sometime in the not-sodistant future.
He continued: “Tam is more than ready for the opportunity and he will become a first-team manager in the future – that’s part of his plan. Adam’s the same.
“They’re high quality and both are committed to their own development as well.
“It was fantastic to see them get that opportunity. The feedback was good – they took