Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
United hitman fired way into
MARC McNulty hopes to have fired his way into Dundee United’s starting line-up following his goal at Ibrox on Sunday.
McNulty, on as a substitute, grabbed a late consolation for the Terrors after strikes from Ianis Hagi, Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo and Alfredo Morelos had put Rangers in a commanding position.
The 28-year-old now hopes he’s done enough to be in boss Micky Mellon’s thoughts from the start at Rugby Park on Saturday, when the Tangerines take on Kilmarnock looking to bolster their top-six ambitions.
McNulty has played off the left and the right as well as through the middle for the Tannadice club in recent weeks but says he’s happy to play his part, whether starting or on the bench.
“For most of my career I’ve played through the middle but I’ve been asked to do a job more wide,” the on-loan Reading forward said.
“It’s different, it’s definitely different, but it’s been quite frustrating at times because I want to score every week.
“I always look at myself and I could do more to chip in with more goals from a different position but I’ve found that difficult to come by.
“To come on through the middle on Sunday and to get a goal was a positive.
“I’ll play my part, wherever I start or if I’m on the bench, that’s football.
“It’s all about just being ready and trying to get back into the gaffer’s thoughts for the next game.
“Every player wants to play every week.
“You might disagree with the gaffer when you’re not starting but, ultimately, it’s him that makes the decisions.
“On Sunday I found myself on the bench but when I was coming on he told me to try to be positive and get something. Luckily I did.”
Former Hibs hitman McNulty is competing with Lawrence Shankland, Nicky Clark and Louis Appere for a jersey and heaped praise on his fellow-strikers, while expressing relief at getting his second goal of the season.
He continued: “It’s disappointing to get a goal in a defeat but, on a personal level, it’s been a bit of a frustrating time.
“There’s a lot of competition in the squad. I thought the boys that started were brilliant and we keep each other on our toes.
“Shanks has scored a few in the last couple of weeks so he’s been on form and big Louis has done very well when he’s come in.
“Clarky came back into the team on Sunday and I thought he did really well. That gives the gaffer a bit of a headache for the weekend.”
Sitting a point behind St Mirren – who play their game in hand against Motherwell tomorrow night – in