Mellon demands net profit even if Shankland sits out

DUNDEE UNITED manager Micky Mellon has urged his attacking players to embrace the chance to seize the headlines if Lawrence Shankland misses out again today.

Shankland has sat out the last two games with an ankle injury which makes him a doubt for the trip to face Ross County.

The Scotland international netted 28 goals in 33 games for United last season to fire them back into the Scottish Premiership but has only featured once this term.

Fellow striker Nicky Clark netted a penalty in United’s opening game and defender Mark Reynolds scored the winner at Motherwell before United lost 1-0 against Hibernian.

But others have offered promise up front, with 21-year-old Louis Appere showing his talent and winger Luke Bolton making an impact at times.

And Mellon has backed his front players to grab the limelight.

what they are here for,” he said. “Let’s acknowledge that they are all under contract for the football club and they are all here to do a job.

“I’m not putting pressure on anybody, that’s just what their jobs are.

“Every person in the team has a certain job to do for us, so step up and be counted. You’ve got the opportunity when it comes, if Lawrence isn’t fit, then go and you be the man.

“Go and enjoy the chance for you to be the man that creates the headlines.

“Be optimistic about it, go and enjoy the opportunity to go and do that. That’s the way I look at life and football. Let’s get it on, let’s see who can be that man.”

Stuart Kettlewell, however, is keen to ensure complacency does not infiltrate the Ross County dressing room as they look to continue their impressive start to the season.

The Staggies have won two and drawn one of their opening three Premiership matches.

Kettlewell stressed the importance of experienced figures at the Dingwall club in keeping the squad grounded.

He said: “It is important that the staff and senior players are right on it. We have all been involved in football long enough.

“Some of the younger guys maybe haven’t seen that brick wall round the corner that you can always hit in football.

“It is so important that we warn the players away from complacency and thinking that we are better than what we might be.

“I still believe it is a work in progress. I need to become better the same as the players do and if we keep working and showing the correct attitude, we will improve.”