The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
United momentum familiar for Holt
Dundee United legend John Holt believes the current side are enjoying the same type of momentum that helped him and his team-mates win the league title, writes Neil Robertson.
Ray McKinnon’s men have built up a fine head of steam ahead of this week’s vital Premiership play-off final double header against Hamilton.
Their exhilarating semi-final victory over Falkirk took their unbeaten run to 10 games and Holt insists belief will be coursing through the veins of the players ahead of the first leg against Accies at Tannadice on Thursday night.
Holt, who was speaking at the launch of a new Courier book celebrating the club’s remarkable run to the Uefa Cup final 30 years ago, “The Final Countdown”, said: “I thought they played well in the second half at Falkirk.
“Falkirk are a good team but Dundee United deserved to win.
“Their energy levels were impressive and although they were under pressure, they pushed themselves through it.
“I was absolutely delighted for them.”
“The last few games, United have always scored and Simon Murray is on fire, added Holt.
“He has been different class. He has done really well in the last few games. He scores goals which is what strikers are for and he is a nice guy as well.
“United have hit form at the right time.
“Winning games really pushes you on. Going back to our day in the ’80s, we started thinking we could win this league now.
“So here’s hoping they can get through these games.
“United fans have had to put up with a lot in the past and it is great to get them up again.
“It is going to be a hard game on Thursday night as Hamilton are a good team but I just hope they do it.”
United boss Ray McKinnon has been trying to keep his players as refreshed as possible during what has been a gruelling schedule.
He has even had the squad taking dips in the North Sea at St Andrews to aid their recovery but Holt revealed that was something he knew all about from his time as a player.
He said: “That’s not anything new.
“If you are stiff after preseason training, that’s the best thing for you, the cold water.
“Of course, we didn’t train at St Andrews, so we used to go paddling in the water down at the Ferry – and then go to Visocchi’s for an ice-cream after!”