Tangerines target trophies on return

DUNDEE UNITED: Managing director sets sights on top six – and beyond

Dundee United are targeting trophies and European football now they are back in the Premiership, insists managing director Mal Brannigan.

The Tangerines will retake their seat at Scottish football’s top table next season after the decision to dish out titles in Scotland’s lower leagues.

United’s aim is for an immediate top six finish. But Brannigan believes that, with the backing of American owner Mark Ogren, the club is entitled to set its sights even higher.

He said: “We firmly believe that we belong in the top flight.

“We need to have that ambition and focus within us, when you look at the size of the club and the potential which comes from the fanbase and the city, to aim for the top six.

“If you measure on those factors we are a top-six club and we have historically been one.

“Our focus is primarily on doing that again, competing for every trophy on the domestic sphere and pushing for potential European spots.”

Dundee United chief Mal Brannigan believes the club should be pushing for Europe and Scottish football’s top prizes on their Premiership return.

The Terrors will take a seat at the top table when the new season starts after the decision to call the lower leagues and dish out titles amid the coronavirus pandemic.

United are targeting a top-six spot next term but managing director Brannigan thinks, in the long run, they should be setting their sights higher.

He admits they have ambitious plans to become a silverware-winning power in Scottish football once more with the backing of American owner Mark Ogren already helping them to the Championship title.

“We all believe we’re back in the division where this football club should be,” Brannigan asserted. “It’s taken us a little bit of time but you have to look at the impact Mark and Scott Ogren have had since they came here.

“The football side of the club from Tony Asghar and the commercial side has been about increasing the profile of Tannadice and the club at the same time.

“We firmly believe that we belong in the top flight.

“We need to have that ambition and focus within us, when you look at the size of the club and the potential which comes from the fanbase and the city, to aim for the top six.

“If you measure on those factors we are a top-six club and we have historically been one.

“Our focus is primarily on doing that again, competing for every trophy on the domestic sphere and pushing for potential European spots.”

The Tangerines were well-supported en route to their second-tier crown last season, with crowds of 8,000 regularly seen at Tannadice.

Brannigan hopes there is a similar, if not better, response for the forthcoming campaign after the club opened season ticket sales on Saturday.

The former Sheffield United chief admits it’s been a challenge trying to put together a package for fans with no idea how the league will look amid SPFL reconstruction.

However, he has assured Arabs their ticket deals will be value-for-money for loyal fans and reflect any games lost with the shortened ending to last term.

Brannigan added: “The support has been outstanding and it is our view there will be a strong uptake. What we’ve done, purposefully, is try to look after the fans who have been with us for a number of years.

“If you look at last year’s process, what we tried to do was generate as many fans who would be renewing this season with our plans for returning to the Premiership.

“What we have done is look after

“We all believe we’re back in the division where this football club should be. MAL BRANNIGAN

them. There has been a price increase, but we believe we’ve minimised the impact of that for them.

“The fans have, unfortunately, missed out on a number of games, so our price point has reflected that, especially for those who are renewing.

“They will have at least one more home league game, so we’re taking all we know right now into consideration when looking at the prices.”

And Brannigan is hopeful at least one other person will be with them for the new campaign – star man Lawrence Shankland.

The United chief believes Shankland’s commitment to and happiness at the club is testament to the work of Tangerines boss Robbie Neilson and his staff.

“It’s a great indication of how Robbie and his staff are respected by the players and the job they’re doing with the individuals,” Brannigan continued.

“In our view, it’s a show of strength that individual players have improved but as a team we are a collective.

“You can see that from how we have come together over the year to deliver the result at the end of it.”

Mal Brannigan: ambition and focus.