Appere eager to cement place in United line-up

Dundee United forward Louis Appere hopes 90 minutes at Aberdeen can be the springboard for a continued run in the team.

The 21-year-old made his first Premiership start since August’s 2-1 win at Ross County in the goalless d r aw at Pittodrie on Saturday.

It was only his 13 th run-out of the campaign despite enjoying an impressive breakthrough term last time out – netting six goals in 33 appearances as Un i t e d lifted the Championship title.

Appere, drafted in for the injured Marc Mcnulty, is now aiming for more gametime and hopes to “solidify” his place in Tangerines boss Micky Mellon’s plans.

“I hope I’ve made a good account of myself – the manager seems to be happy with the work I’ve put in,” he said speaking to DUTV after the Dons draw.

“It was a tough shift for everyone, me and Shanks (Lawrence Shankland) up there as well.

“I’ve been working hard and waiting for the opportunity, so, hopefully, I’ve done enough.

“I needed to work on my game, a lot of it was about my hold-up play and being

physical, and I think I grew into the game on Saturday to show a bit of that.

“It’s a different level, o b v i o u s l y, from the Championship but I thought I held my own on Saturday and done well.

“I’m looking forward to more games, hopefully. I want to solidify my place in the team, if I can.

“I just want to play as well as I can in the opportunities I get.”

With the visit of St Johnstone to Tannadice on Saturday as well as clashes against bottom-six sides Ha m i l t o n , St Mi r r e n , Mo t h e r w e l l and Ross County on the horizon, Appere says the Terrors are looking to keep up their positive momentum.

Draws with Hibs, Motherwell and Aberdeen, as well as a 2-0 win over Killie, saw United pick up six points in a hectic festive period to remain in the top half of the table.

With some time to rest between games, Appere is hopeful they can kick on even further.

“It’s been a tough period the last few games and I think we’ve come out with six points, so it’s a decent return and we just want to keep going,” he added.

“I’ve had to watch a lot of the games recently but the boys have had six games in however long, so they’ll be enjoying their rest.

“But we’ll go again, work hard and take it into the next game.”

United’s Louis Appere is targeting more game-time.