Picture this, Mellon wants to hang his players on the wall
Mickey Mellon aims to have new scenes of celebration adorning the walls of Tannadice.
And the new Dundee United manager admits any success will be thanks to the prompting of a former England boss.
Mellon took over the Tangerines last week, and was thrilled to view pictures of past successes that are displayed in his new workplace.
But rather than be intimidated by former glories, the 48-year-old wants his men to be inspired.
He said: “I walked through some of the rooms at Tannadice, and looked at all the photos on the wall. I could name all of the players up there.
“To now be the manager of the club that they operated with is romantic for me.
“You think of the Barcelona games, and all the legends who have played here. It’s brilliant.
“I am thrilled by the history of the club. I’m not overawed by it.
“I think of people like Jim McLean. The football romantic in me is thinking of me as a wee guy, watching them on Scotsport and Sportscene.
“I am very aware of the unbelievable history of Dundee United, and I want to make our part of that. I want to get our players on the walls here, and try to be a part of it all.
“I love football. It’s my life, and I need to work hard to ensure everything doesn’t revolve around it.
“My missus would probably tell you I find that tough.”
Having spent the last 32 years in England after leaving Glasgow as 16-year-old, Mellon has met his fair share of football characters.
Scotland legend Joe Jordan was an early influence, and one-time England manager Sam Allardyce continues to provide advice.
He went on: “To go to Joe Jordan as a 16-year-old at Bristol City, and see the standards he lived by – the preparation, his lifestyle, how he played and trained and ran a football club – was a massive eye-opener.
“At that stage of my career, I thought that was the only way to run a football club, and I’ve carried forward parts of what I learned from him.
“I still call him gaffer. He’s a brilliant guy.
“Sam Allardyce at Blackpool was unbelievable as well.
“When I played for him, we were doing things – in terms of training and eating habits – that other people are only starting to do now.
“Things like using sprint coaches and analysis, Sam was doing that 20-odd years ago.
“I learned from that, and still speak to him once or twice a week. He keeps pushing and prodding me to keep improving.”
Mellon loves to talk football. Tony Asghar, Dundee United’s Sporting Director, discovered that when he got an early alarm call from the new manager.
Mellon said: “I phoned him at half-past five in the morning.
“I’d woken up early because where I’m living had big crows outside the window. I couldn’t sleep, and was up watching videos of Dundee United.
“He answered because I kept ringing him – and he better get used to that.
“I wanted to ask him about this and that, as I want to hit the ground running.
“I work really hard, one of the qualities I was given as a kid.
“You work hard to get what you deserve.”