Neilson sights set on Premiership

DUNDEE UNITED: New head coach vows to lead Tangerines back to top flight

Dundee United last night confirmed the appointment of Robbie Neilson as their new head coach on a deal through to the end of 2019-20.

The former Hearts boss emerged as the No 1 choice to succeed Csaba Laszlo at the weekend and after talks with the club, agreed to take over in the Tannadice hot-seat.

The 38-year-old immediately pledged to help repeat the feat he achieved while Tynecastle manager and win promotion back to the top tier of Scottish football with United.

Neilson, who had a spell as a player with the Tangerines in 2011-12, said last night: “It is an exciting opportunity at a great club and I am confident that I can lead Dundee United back to the Premiership.

“This is the perfect challenge for me at a club I know well and I am looking forward to meeting the coaching staff and players tomorrow and getting straight to work ahead of Saturday’s match at Partick Thistle.”

United chairman Mike Martin revealed that Neilson was the stand-out candidate for the job.

Martin said: “I am delighted that Robbie has agreed to become head coach at Dundee United.

“From a long list of impressive applications, he was the outstanding candidate.

“We were convinced by his track record and experience, his style and approach to coaching and management and his plans and vision for this club.”

Current Dundee United assistant manager Laurie Ellis was in interim charge for the weekend visit to league leaders Ayr with the 2-0 defeat at Somerset Park meaning the Tangerines are currently eight points behind the Honest Men, sitting in fourth.

Neilson had been out of work since parting company with English outfit MK Dons in January and is believed to have turned down the chance to become the new St Mirren boss in the summer.

The former defender already has that promotion from the Championship on his CV with the Jam Tarts, finishing the 2014-15 campaign 21 points ahead of Edinburgh rivals Hibs and 24 in front of Rangers.

In his second season, Neilson led the Jambos to third in the Premiership, but left in December, 2016 for the new challenge down south.

Picture: SNS Group. Robbie Neilson: Looking forward to “perfect challenge” at a club he knows well.