Malpas hopeful that United can benefit from bounce factor
Newly-crowned Championship winners Dundee United will do well to emulate the efforts of the Tangerines team that won its way up to the top flight in 1996.
Back then, the Tannadice club – who had needed a play-off win over Partick Thistle to secure promotion – proved themselves to be the surprise package of the Scottish game.
They finished third-top of the Premier League behind Celtic and Rangers to qualify for Europe and made the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.
It was no close-run thing, either. Able to boast both a 13-game unbeaten run plus a sequence of eight straight wins, they finished eight points clear of Hearts in fourth.
“We deserved what we got because we were a good side,” said Maurice Malpas, whose defensive nous was central to United’s success.
“Getting up usually gives you a bit of momentum but, funnily enough, we didn’t start the campaign that well.
“We drew a few games and the Board jumped and sacked Billy Kirkwood, our manager, replacing him with Tommy McLean, who had been at Raith Rovers for just one game.
“As well as playing, I was also part of Billy’s coaching team at the time and felt it was definitely unfair that, having made a lot of changes to the squad in the summer, he wasn’t given more time to get us going.
“Anyway, we got there. There was a nice blend to the team, with experienced Scottish players such as Steven Pressley, Andy McLaren, Jim McInally and Ray
McKinnon, plus some good foreign guys – the likes of Kjell Olofsson, Lars Zetterlund and Erik Pedersen.
“As often happens, we got some good results, grew in confidence, and kicked on.”
Malpas is hopeful that a quarter-of-a-century on, Robbie Neilson will also reap the benefit of a bounce factor.
“We have seen momentum give sides a lift on a number of occasions, with Livingston being a good recent example,” said Malpas.
“Robbie’s team was comfortably the best in the First Division last year, so I would like to think they could acquit themselves well.
“Of course, we are talking about hypotheticals because, as things stand, we have no idea when the season is going to start or even how many teams are going to be in the Premiership!”
The 57-year-old Fifer does believe there is one aspect of the coronavirus shutdown that could play into his former employers’ hands.
“Before this happened, I fully expected that United would have to sell Lawrence Shankland this summer. I think all United supporters would have felt the same way,” he said.
“Goalscorers are always going to be in high demand and the lad has proved he is definitely one of those.
“However, with all the financial turmoil on both sides of the border, I think there is a chance now they will be able to hold onto him.
“That would be a big, big boost as I have no doubt he would score goals against even the very best teams.”