Tannadice gaffer Courts is eager keeper is still there after window shuts
Dundee United boss Tam Courts is a great believer in having clear lines of communication.
But he’ll be delighted to briefly disappear off the radar at the end of this month.
Radio silence will signal that United have been able to keep hold of their top players – with goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist staying at Tannadice.
The Swiss stopper has attracted a lot of interest in recent months and Courts is desperate to keep him.
He said: “I’d love to keep Benji in the building and prolong his stay here, but I also understand that 6ft 5in goalkeepers who are very consistent and perform to the level he does are highly desirable.
“Up until this point, there’s been nothing concrete that’s come in for him. “He’s a huge part of what we’re doing. “I think there was some interest over the summer. But I don’t know if there were bids knocked back.
“There are regular enquiries for a few of our players that don’t make it out into the public domain.
“Benji’s really happy here. He trains really well, he’s a leader in our dressing room and the saves you see him making in matches are the sort we see him making every single day.
“It’s no coincidence the way the trains, linked to his ability, makes him an attractive proposition to the marketplace.”
Although optimistic that Siegrist will remain with United, Courts has taken steps to ensure his side is well covered when it comes to goalkeepers.
He went on: “We’re actually really fortunate here because if you look at the strength of the goalkeeping stable,
we’ve got Benji, Trevor Carson, who’s a full Northern Ireland squad international and we have Scotland Under-19 goalkeeper Jack Newman.
“Benji’s a big cog in the wheel just now, but Trevor is someone who is important too.
“I think Trevor coming in has actually helped push Benji to another level, as has Tony Caig coming in a goalie coach.”
Lawrence Shankland was sold to top-flight Belgian side Beerschot earlier this month and Courts (inset right) is realistic about the prospect of others leaving at some point.
He said: “A part of the model here is working with aspirational players, whether that’s experienced assets or younger players.
“We know we’re going to exit players, so it’s just making sure it’s done at the right time, to the right club and for the right transfer fee.
“It is a precarious time with the transfer window open, particularly just now when there’s interest in four or five of our players.
“I must give enormous credit to the boys because they’ve remained focused. “They are still very committed here and performing to a good level. Long may that continue.
“I’m looking forward to having my own yellow tie on the last day of the transfer window! “Hopefully, I’m sitting in the house with my phone turned off at that point. “It’s a time for calmness and being measured and making sure you are in dialogue with players.
“That’s ultimately what they want. If there is any interest, make sure there is two-way dialogue.”
Courts is only a few months into life as a top-flight manager and today he faces a man who has been at it just over a year but already has two major honours under his belt.
The Dundee United man can only tip his hat in the direction of St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson.
He said: “He has been phenomenal. I was at the Galatasaray game and they were a credit to Scottish football.
“It was great to see Mcdiarmid Park full. They have done a phenomenal job and for other similar-sized clubs, they have shown what can be achieved.
“Naturally, we want to derail that today, but I have respect for them.
“We always give the opposition respect but there is no trepidation going there.”