Mikkelsen eyes second time lucky

Dundee United striker Thomas Mikkelsen feels he has unfinished business at Tannadice and has vowed to close the deal, writes Ian Roache.

The Dane was back in tangerine on Saturday as he helped United clinch a 2-0 win over Alloa in the William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round at the Indodrill Stadium.

That earned the club a potentially lucrative tie with Aberdeen in the next round but it is the league that is at the forefront of Mikkelsen’s mind.

He was a key part of the United side that missed out on promotion in the play-off final against Hamilton Accies last term, an outcome that would ultimately lead to his move to topflight Ross County in the summer.

Now he has returned on loan for the remainder of the Championship campaign and is desperate to help clinch the title second time around.

Despite Csaba Laszlo’s men sitting eight points adrift of leaders St Mirren, albeit with a game in hand, Mikkelsen still believes that United can be crowned champions.

He said: “We are ready to fight for promotion.

“I believe we have a decent team so we can push for that.

“It would mean so much to me to help Dundee United reach the Premiership because last season we failed at the last stage.

“We all want to show we can do it this year. That is my goal for the season.

“It was so tough for everyone at the club, the way the season ended at Hamilton.

“This time, though, I believe we have a big chance,” added Mikkelsen, who will make his home debut for a second time when the Tangerines face Morton in the league this Saturday.

“Last year there was Hibernian, who are a massive club, in the division so this time there is a chance for us to be No 1 in the league.

“That is what motivates me. “So I say: ‘We will show you this time.’

“I want to show everyone that it was wrong that we didn’t go up. I want to show everyone that we are good enough to play in the top league.”

Just as fellow Dane Emil Lyng welcomed Mikkelsen back to United, he is happy to have a compatriot at the club, even though the pair may be in competition for the central striking role.

Mikkelsen said: “It is good that Emil is here and now I can speak a little bit of Danish around the club.

“My English is a little better these days than it was last time but it is still nice that you can speak your own language.

“Also, he can translate for me sometimes!

“The more competition you have in the squad the better the team is going to be and, if we do well and fight for a place in the team, it will make us both better players.

“Overall, it feels really good to be back and to pull that United shirt on again. I’m delighted.”

Mikkelsen is hoping to give his career a shot in the arm after falling victim to a managerial change at the Staggies.

He was signed by Jim Mcintyre in the summer, only for another former United striker, Owen Coyle, to take charge in September.

Mikkelsen revealed: “It has been really tough.

“Jim Mcintyre signed me and got sacked after one month and that is a difficult situation.

“The new gaffer came in and only wanted to play with one striker – and there were four at the club.

“Things were not going my way so I need to go out and play some more.

“Dundee United was the perfect opportunity and I am happy to come back to what is a great club.

“I enjoyed my time up at County but I have only just turned 28 (his birthday was on Friday, the day he signed) and I need to play football.”

Twitter: @C_iroache

Thomas Mikkelsen is determined this will be United’s year.