Gaffer says United are building a new bond with fans
Dundee United manager Tam Courts believes his side have started a new successful relationship with their supporters.
There were 4,600 fans inside Tannadice as their favourites recorded a memorable win over Rangers.
Courts is well aware that many of those who applauded him at fulltime were very sceptical about his appointment.
They felt that replacing former boss Micky Mellon with a man from the youth academy wasn’t showing the necessary ambition.
He said: “The fans are open-minded. They’re obviously nervous and they’ve been on the outside of the club for a long time.
“They don’t have a close, intimate relationship with the club just now because of Covid, but I hope they can now see what a big part they can play.
“Hopefully we can fuse together and do something special.”
Bouncing back from their opening-day defeat at Aberdeen by beating Rangers was the perfect way for United to gain their boss a bit of breathing space.
He went on: “It was almost like we had to take a bloody nose at Aberdeen in order to perform like this.
“I’ve tried to liberate the players a bit and let them know that if they’re brave, I will take the flak. Taking flak is not something I’ve had time to get used to.
“I want them to give the players a freedom to play in a style that befits this club.”
Courts doesn’t know if he will have Lawrence Shankland as one of his players for much longer.
The striker missed yesterday’s game with a hip injury but has been linked with a move to Belgium, and other clubs are keen to recruit him.
“I’m not sure the intricacies of it but when Lawrence came here we wanted to develop him so that we could eventually sell him,” said Courts.
“If anything develops, I’ll always be grateful for what he’s done for the club.”
Match-winner Jamie Robson has also been attracting interest. Sunderland and Lincoln City are admirers.
His first goal for threeand-a-half years could hardly have been more dramatic.
He said: “I’ve had a few chances previously but it was a good feeling to get back on the scoresheet, especially in a big game like that.
“It’s up there with the best feelings I’ve had in my career so far.
“We can definitely build on that and move forward. It always happens, you get a bit of interest in you, but for me it’s just about focusing on the games.”
Rangers summer signing, John Lundstram, has cited Covid cases in the Rangers camp as being at the root of the champions’ lacklustre start.
Midfielder Lundstram said: “I think there’s a lot more to come from all of us. It’s only early doors. We had pre-season not long ago and it hasn’t been a great one for everyone.
“There have been a few Covid cases. So I’m sure once we are up to speed, you’ll see a different team.”