The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Chairman hopes to tempt United fans back
Martin hoping attractive football can tempt fans back through Tannadice turnstiles
Dundee United chairman Mike Martin is hoping new boss Robbie Neilson can galvanise the club’s fans with stylish, winning football.
The former Hearts and MK Dons manager was formally unveiled at Tannadice on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old has been tasked with winning promotion back to the Premiership at the third time of asking for the Tangerines.
And if he can do that, playing attractive football along the way, Martin is hoping it will convince some of the fans who have stayed away during the recent seasons of trouble and strife to decide to come along to back the team once more.
Martin said: “We think we have a very high-calibre individual with a tremendous track record and somebody who is going to help us achieve our ambitions to get back to the Premiership.
“He’s done it before in the Championship and very importantly, he’s done it in the Premiership as well and done it with some style.
“We wanted to get back to a position of playing with some style and delivering results with some style.
“I like his attention to detail. He’s meticulous in terms of his planning and approach to every aspect of the coaching role.
“I like his vision, I like the way he looks to build for the long-term rather than just short-term objectives.”
Martin added: “We got on very well as individuals which is important but not essential.
“Overall, we had no hesitation in selecting Robbie once we sat down with him.
“The head coach appointment is an absolutely key one. It is the most visible appointment within the club itself and it is very important to get it right.
“One of Robbie’s tasks and something we have talked about at length already, is to galvanise the support, to bring them back to Tannadice in the numbers we would like to see.”
We wanted to get back to a position of playing with some style and delivering results with some style. MIKE MARTIN