United to push on after derby demolition
It was 6-2 déjà vu for Calum Butcher as Dundee United crushed Dundee.
And the Tangerines star reckons Friday’s derby to remember has given United a platform to make it an unforgettable season.
“I was here for the last 6-2 game. To be involved in one of them was great, but two is just amazing,” he said.
“But I scored twice in this one so I would say it’s better, wouldn’t I!
“I could even have had a hat-trick but I got a bit excited when I was shooting near the end and pulled it wide.
“To win another derby 6-2 is fantastic. “We set down a marker and it’s going to be up to us to keep it going.
“We can’t take the foot off the gas, we’ve had a great start and there is a great feeling about the club.
“Everyone is going in the same direction but we have to keep it up for us to have a successful season.
“We got the squad together in January, everyone is settled now and up to speed.
“I think you can see this is a team which has been working hard for a while now and we are getting the benefits of that.”
Butcher’s first spell at United came at a time when the Tangerines were blessed with young talent such as Ryan Gauld, John Souttar and Stuart Armstrong. They are long gone from Tannadice. But Butcher reckons the current crop of United youngsters are worth getting excited about, too.
“I think Louis Appere is fantastic,” he said.
“He is as good as any of the young players I’ve played with at this club.
“I didn’t see much of him last season because he was out on loan but since he came in during pre-season he’s been incredible.
“He has looked after himself, he’s as fit as a fiddle and nothing has fazed him.
“He’s got a connection with Lawrence Shankland, sometimes that just happens and you can see the pair of them have clicked.
“Both are big players for us, so hopefully that continues.
“There are some really, really talented young players at this club – you have Scott Banks and Logan Chalmers, too – and you’ll see more of them on the pitch this season.”