The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Chalmers can’t wait to cast his wing wizardry
It’s been long road back from injury for Logan Chalmers but the Dundee United winger is finally reminding people what he’s all about.
The 21-year-old dazzled in United’s 2-2 draw with Motherwell on Wednesday night, laying on assists for Lawrence Shankland and fellow youngster Archie Meekison.
Chalmers’s wing wizardry was in full flow down the right flank at Tannadice as he made his first start of the year.
He hadn’t played a Premiership match from the start since he hurt his right ankle in a 0-0 draw with Aberdeen last October.
Chalmers was gutted that the Tangerines weren’t able to win the game – with Christopher Long and Devante Cole ensuring the Steelmen earned a point – but on a personal level, couldn’t hide his happiness.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be back out there but, obviously, disappointed not to win the game,” he said.
“It’s been a tough road back – it took a lot longer than I expected.
“When I got back fit the lads were doing well and it was a bit of a struggle to get back in the team.
“I’ve been back a while in training and I’ve come off the bench a few times.
“It’s nicer to start a game, though; to get into it and become more confident as it goes on.
“It was nice to be in on Wednesday night and I’m feeling confident and good again.
“I had a good run in the team and confidence was growing with every game I played.
“To get the injury at the time I did was frustrating but that’s football.
“I came back in a positive way, though, and hopefully I will finish the season strongly.”
Reflecting on their performance against the ‘Well – United’s last home game of the season – Chalmers was happy for Meekison to have made his mark.
They weren’t the only youngsters who impressed, with Louis Appere winning the penalty that Shankland smashed wide and Kerr Smith composed at the back.
“I thought I did well,” he added.
“The first goal, I’ll take it as a cross, of course.
“It was going in I think. It’s one thing I wanted to add, goals and assists, so I’m pleased.
“The second, I saw wee Archie pull to the edge of the box, I rolled it back to him and he did the rest.
“I’m delighted for him. He was in the dressingroom after, buzzing.”
“It was a great finish and Kerr was outstanding at the back again.
“It’s nice to see the young lads out there and, obviously, I’m still young myself.”
Although he wasn’t involved for large chunks of it, Chalmers believes it has been a good season for the Terrors.
Heading into Sunday’s curtain-closer at St Mirren they can still secure seventh spot, and they made it to Hampden for a Scottish Cup semi-final.
Those facts were not lost on Chalmers.
“For our first season back in the Premiership, for us to be disappointed we didn’t finish in the top six and make it to the Scottish Cup Final says it all,” he said.
“If you look at it like that, it just shows the standards we have here.
“We believed we probably could’ve finished in the top six and have won the semifinal. Of course, we’re disappointed we didn’t but I think, overall, it’s been a good first season back up.”