The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Imp Robson backs United’ s six appeal
Jamie Robson believes Dundee United can reach the Scottish Premiership top six – as he starts his career in English League One with new club Lincoln City.
Defender Robson ended a 10-year spell at Tannadice with a transfer deadline day move.
He could make his Imps debut away to Cambridge United tomorrow.
Robson, 23, enjoyed a series of highs and lows during 174 appearances for the Tannadice club and signed off with the winner against Rangers.
United were relegated in 2016 and spent four years in the Championship before bouncing back to the Premiership in 2020. They narrowly missed out on top-six football last term.
Robson would have loved the chance to finish the job but believes he left them in a good place.
“The Championship was a really hard graft,” said Robson.
“We came close to getting up before we won the league. Livingston put us out in the semi-final one year the we lost on penalties to St Mirren the next.
“No one could deny our right to win the league. The season was cut short due to Covid but we were well in front when it ended.
“The club is heading in the right direction and I have absolutely no regrets in how I’ve left.
“We only missed out on the top six by one point last year and reached a Scottish Cup semi-final.
“It was a good season and I believe they are more than capable of going one stage further.”
Robson will watch from afar as Tam Courts’ United try to reclaim their place alongside the likes of Rangers and Celtic at the top end of the table.
But his focus will now turn towards helping an ambitious Lincoln City reach the English Championship.
Lincoln have ambitious plans for growth with a stadium and training ground extension after they won the League Two title in 2019.
They have appointed US legend Landon Donovan as a strategic adviser and have their sights set on further glory.
Robson will soon welcome his girlfriend Holly and his new-born son Reuben to England.
And he’s determined his new life in Lincoln will get off to a flying start.
“The club is very ambitious and I’m really excited to be here,” said Robson.
“They want to add to the stadium and extend the training ground to try to get to the Championship.
“I get a sense that we’ve got something really good going here.
“Life is changing quickly. I’m waiting on confirmation coming through on a house to get Holly and Reuben down here.
“Lincoln is beautiful. It has a university, a cathedral and a castle. It’s going to be an exciting adventure for us.”
Meanwhile, Courts is set to give a debut to new signing Scott McMann in tomorrow’s visit to St Mirren.
McMann arrived on transfer deadline day from Hamilton as a direct replacement for Robson.
But while McMann is ready to make his bow, United fans could have a further wait to see Ilmari Niskanen play with the Finnish winger still seeking a work permit.
“The club is working as hard as it can on a work permit for Ilmari,” said Courts. “We hope to see him in action very soon.
“Scott’s situation is clearer. He’s fit and available and there are no complications there. He’s raring to go.
“He brings attacking qualities, he’s vastly experienced and has come to the club to kick on. We’re delighted to have him here.”