ian roache

You get the feeling that Laurie Ellis has allowed himself only the tiniest bit of enjoyment during his time in charge of this United team.

You sense these couple of weeks as caretaker boss have been more bitter than sweet for Ellis despite two terrific wins.

The respect he has for his friend Ray McKinnon has been at the heart of everything he has done since being asked to step forward.

In an ideal world, he would have wanted to still be beside McKinnon in the dugout.

That’s honourable and worthy of commendation.

However, if United reach the promised land of promotion next May then whoever replaces McKinnon should give Ellis a special mention in his victory speech.

For if Ellis were the bragging type – and he’s definitely not – then he could point out that he has led United to as many league wins this season as Neil McCann has achieved at Dundee, albeit in a lower division.

More important than any parochial point, though, is the fact that he has left the Tangerines level on points with St Mirren at the top of the Championship despite everything that has happened at the club.

That is a heck of a gift to the new gaffer and one that I’m sure will be appreciated.

It looks his reward will be staying in place as assistant boss and he deserves that for guiding the team through this challenging time.