Teenage talent Coote wants to strike it lucky in United’s trophy tilt
ALI COOTE would love to continue his bid to cement his place in the Dundee United side by leading their attack in today’s Irn-Bru Cup final.
The talented teenager is in the frame to start for Ray McKinnon’s side in the showdown with St Mirren at Fir Park where the Tangerines will bid to win the trophy for the first time in their history.
Eighteen-year-old Coote ha s impressed McKinnon whenever he’s come off the bench and being converted to an out-and-out striker from his normal wide position has helped the youngster massively in recent weeks.
Now Coote is aiming to help the promotion-chasing Tangerines, who have lost their last three league matches, kick-start their season by securing some silverware in front of the live cameras in Lanarkshire this afternoon.
Coote said: “It’s good to think I might be involved in a final.
“I’ve got tickets for my family and some of them will be coming through to see the game. A few months ago, they wouldn’t have been thinking about going but now they’ll be there. Any cup final, no matter what it is, you want to win it.”
Coote could prove to be United’s secret weapon against St Mirren and the razor-sharp forward hopes to give them an extra dimension in the final third.
He said: “I am still young but the manager has shown he trusts me when he’s sent me on in tight games and there’s still a job to be done. I think I’ve done well in those games, including a couple in this cup .
“We’ve got through each time so it’s been okay. The gaffer had spoken to me about movement and what he wants from his strikers.
“He’s kept things quite simple. If you have pace, he wants you spinning in behind defenders when it’s on and, as long as your timing is right, your teammates will find you. There are a lot of injuries just now and they are in areas where I can play. I’m not saying it’s a good thing that boys are injured but if it means I’m getting game-time then I’m happy.”
Coote hasn’t looked back since being moved into a more central striking position and the highly-rated product of the Tannadice youth system has thanked his coaches for his recent progression.
Coote said: “The Development Squad lacks an out-and-out goal scorer. I was speaking to one of our coaches, Stevie Leahy, and we thought me going up top might be an option.
“Then, it was the game against Falkirk, Dave Bowman read the team out and he said I had the No.9 shirt. It was a bit of a surprise but I did well and then went on to score a fee goals so I’ve stayed there.”
United are without injured trio Sean Dillon, Scott Fraser and Blair Spittal.