Tannadice fail-safe Siegrist lets gloves do all the talking

BENJAMIN Siegrist delivering ripostes with class and a lasersharp focus as another interview centres on the Dundee United goalkeeper’s future will come as no surprise to anyone who has seen him in action.

‘The Swiss Wall’ has effortlessly adjusted to the rigours of top-flight football, carrying himself with poise and grace throughout a campaign that has seen him linked with clubs across Europe.

From giants of our game Celtic to teams on the continent in Germany and Holland, Siegrist has fielded as many enquiries about his next destination as he has shots in 2020/21.

Well, not quite.

After all, the 29-year-old has made 125 top-flight saves, keeping 11 clean sheets in the process and, effectively, winning a number of points on his own for the Tangerines.

Not far behind him in that saves-made list is Ryan Fulton of Hamilton Accies – United’s opponent today.

While modestly avoiding being drawn on his future, Siegrist takes the time to wish his injured counterpart well after the Accies No 1 dislocated his knee slipping on ice outside his home this week.

“That is a disappointment for him and I send him my best wishes because he has been really unlucky,” he said of Fulton.

As for his own situation, Siegrist is happy to let the football do the talking as he looks to continue his role as the Tangerines’ fail-safe headed into the post-split fixtures.

“I haven’t given much thought to it,” he admitted.

“It’s nice there is a bit of speculation and that happens when you’re on form.

“How I see it, how I can be most successful on the pitch is to just focus on the games.

“The communication between (sporting director) Tony (Asghar) and I has always been that if the right opportunity comes then they’ll do right by the player.

“At the same time, I am always thankful that I have established myself here at Dundee United in the Premiership.

“It’s a two-way street, the club have put trust in me over the last couple of seasons and I’d like to think I have paid that back.

“My goal is always to compete at the highest level so my dreams, goals and aspirations are to continuously move forward and test myself.

“It’s always important to have short-term and long-term goals.

“Part of that is by setting the bar high, being ambitious and trying to play at the highest level you can.

“I have one more year after this summer, we constantly talk but the transfer window isn’t even open so there is no point trying to discuss something that might happen in the future.

“That’s a bit pointless so, like I said, I am under contract and if something comes up that we need to speak about then I’m sure we will speak about it.

“It’s business as usual. I like to train and play, look after myself and what I can do on the pitch – and leave other things to other people.”

As Siegrist says, he is ambitious – don’t mistake his humility for a lack of purpose.

Contracted until 2022, it is likely to be a pivotal summer for both player and club, and his future may one day lie away from the City of Discovery.

For now, though, all the former Aston Villa kid wants is to keep improving under Micky Mellon’s watch.

“Every time you get plaudits you want to do better the next time,” he continued.