Attractive, but new boss will have his work cut out

United legend McAlpine speaks out on who will replace Neilson

It’s one of the most attractive jobs in Scottish football but the next Dundee United manager will have his work cut out making a success of it.

That’s the view of United Hamish McAlpine.

The 1983 Premier Division-winning goalkeeper was, like most, shocked by Robbie Neilson’s departure from Tannadice for Hearts on Sunday night.

However, McAlpine insists the Tangerines can’t afford to feel sorry for themselves and must move on quickly.

“It was a surprise,” the 72-year-old said.

“I saw it late Sunday night on the news and I said to myself ‘what is that all about?’

“There have been rumours left, right and centre about what went on but I wouldn’t want to speculate.

“It does seem a strange one but he spent a lot of time in Edinburgh and Hearts were his first club so maybe his heart is there?

“It’s strange but never mind, United must move on.”

McAlpine, who made 688 appearances for the Tangerines from 1969-1985, thought Neilson would have stuck around for Premiership football with United but another assault on the Championship with the Jambos lies ahead for him.

He continued: “He did what he had to do. They failed in the play-offs last year, of course, but this year they got the right signing in Lawrence Shankland to win the title.

“That made all the for them, scoring those legend difference goals, and they did get a wee bit steadier at the back. Robbie would’ve known they’d have needed two or three players more for going up but I thought he’d still be there for the fight.

“He’ll just have it all to do with Hearts again in that league.”

As for who will lead the Tangerines into the top flight, McAlpine says it’s anybody’s guess.

Whether it’s Tommy Wright, Craig Levein or Lee McCulloch, the former goalie reckons they’ll have a job on their hands.

However, McAlpine insists the club remains in a strong, attractive position for a new man coming in.

“There’ll be plenty folk out of a job who’ll be desperate to take it,” he added.

“With the crowds they can pull in they can have success. There’s a potential for 7,000 home fans at every game.

“That’s a big attraction to a manager, having the big crowd behind them, because there’s not many places like that.

“There’ll be a lot of CVs being sent through and, with Tommy being installed as favourite, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him end up at Tannadice.

“I know they’d spoken to him before back in 2015 but I’m not sure of the ins and outs of what they’re thinking now.

“Anybody moving to United will be rubbing their hands because it’s an attractive job.

“It will still be a tough ask but at least they’re in the right place in the Premiership.

“It’s a struggle for half the teams in that league so they won’t be any worse off than most after a couple of signings.

“They’ll need somebody up front to help Shankland, some pace and width and maybe another experienced defender.

“Somebody mentioned Craig Levein and Peter Houston to me but, obviously, with the new regime that’s come in at United, you just don’t know what they’d be thinking.

“They were both at the club before, of course, and have that connection.

“Craig’s been in and out of it with Hearts the last few years, had a spell as manager that didn’t work out and moved upstairs before it changed again.

“Houstie has been coaching and scouting so he might fancy it but you never can tell.

“Whoever they get has a hard job but at least they’re starting off in the right league.

“There’ll be plenty of folk out of a job who’ll be desperate to take it... with the crowds they can pull in they can have success. HAMISH MCALPINE

United midfielder Ian Harkes has signed a new deal which will keep him at Tannadice until 2022, writes Calum Woodger.

With the American’s previous agreement set to expire in January, he was pleased to get his long-term future sorted as the Tangerines head for the Premiership.

The 25-year-old, who has made 51 appearances for United, said: “I’m delighted to continue my time with the club. I feel like I’ve progressed as a player since arriving in Scotland.”