The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
ONLY WAY IS UP FOR MCMANN AT TANNADICE
He’s grown accustomed to relegation battles after a career spent fighting for survival at Hamilton.
However, new boy Scott McMann is confident that is all set to change after he sealed a deadline day move to Dundee United.
The 25-year-old defender signed on the dotted line at Tannadice, joining the Tangerines as a direct replacement for Jamie Robson who left for Lincoln City earlier in the day.
With his future now settled – McMann has signed a three-year deal with United – he is keen to kick on and try to help United achieve their Premiership goal of a topsix finish.
The Accies academy graduate was one of a few bright sparks for the Lanarkshire side last season as they were relegated to the Championship and he hopes to show the form that earned his a move back to “the big stage” in a tangerine jersey.
“When I heard Dundee United were interested I was buzzing to get that opportunity to come back and play in the Premiership – on the big stage,” McMann said.
“It’s going to be something new for me (pushing for the top six), having been in relegation battles with Hamilton for the past five-six years.
“Hopefully it’s going to be exciting to push higher up the league and have higher ambitions.
“I’ve only played here twice – a Premiership playoff and last season – but it’s a lovely stadium and I can’t wait to play here.
“It’s exciting, I can’t wait to play in front of the fans and in front of a full stadium.”
The left-back, who can also play in the centre of defence, says he was sold on a move to the City of Discovery by head coach Tam Courts.
There were other interested Premiership parties.
However, after a chat with United’s new gaffer, McMann didn’t have to think twice about where his future lay.
He added: “When I spoke to the gaffer he laid out the ambitions of the club and the plans he had for me.
“It was a no-brainer for me moving forward.
“Playing in the top six, for me, is the goal and pushing on into Europe and, hopefully, cup finals and semi-finals.
“Hopefully I’ve got that to look forward to and I can help the team with that.”
At 25, he’s hardly an old head by United’s standards with a squad that features the likes of Charlie Mulgrew, 35, and Mark Reynolds, 34.
However, McMann was a leader at Accies, a club known for relying heavily on academy youngsters, and believes he can bring that experienced into what is already a healthy Tannadice changing room.
He commented: “I was an experienced player at Hamilton because it’s a very young changing room so you have to become a leader in that environment.
“Hopefully I can help the young boys here in a similar kind of way.
“It’s a good squad with a good mix of players, a lot of talented youth and experienced pros so it’s exciting.”