Robbo reckons Robbie is perfect fit for United

Inverness Caley Thistle boss John Robertson observed Robbie Neilson’s first steps in management from close quarters and he believes Dundee United’s players will be left in no doubt about what he expects at Tannadice.

Neilson began his managerial career at Hearts in 2014, when the Jambos’ all-time leading scorer Robertson was in an ambassadorial role at Tynecastle.

Although a move to MK Dons in 2016 did not prove successful, Neilson was earlier this month tasked with succeeding Csaba Laszlo at United, getting his reign off to a winning start with a 2-1 win over Partick Thistle last weekend.

Robertson will come up against Neilson in the dugout for the first time when Inverness make the trip to Tayside tomorrow, and the Caley Jags boss feels the 38-year-old and United are the “perfect fit”.

Robertson said: “Robbie is a very good, knowledgeable young manager. He’s the new breed, so head coach is probably a better description. I saw him at Hearts.

“They would train every Friday at the stadium and I could see what Robbie’s thoughts were. He’s very meticulous, very organised and demands high standards. He will get his ideas across very well.

“I think it’s a perfect fit. He has been very patient in that he had a criteria of what he wanted from a job – a team with a big fanbase, training facilities, a good squad and good budget. I think that’s what he’s got at United.

“He’s a young manager who has already won the Championship. Despite the fact he had a tough time of it at MK Dons he will be better for that experience.

“Robbie’s main strength is he’s a terrific coach who gets his ideas over very well. But he wouldn’t have been allowed to do that at MK Dons, because such is the English system they are playing every Saturday and Tuesday. That’s three games a week with recovery. There’s very little chance to do much coaching.

“Now he’s preparing Saturday to Saturday most weeks, I think you’ll see the very best of Robbie.”

Neilson’s appointment at Tannadice was quickly followed by Gary Caldwell’s arrival at Partick, but Robertson is relaxed about the impact the changes will have on his own side’s prospects, adding: “It doesn’t make the league any harder, as the managers who left were good managers. At the end of the day it’s what you get out of your players on a Saturday. Every team is capable of beating each other.”