PLEASE DON’T PULL UP THE LADDER AGAIN
Crisis won’t force United to sell stars like Shanks
He said: “The club has been here before and it would be tough to take if things went against us again. It would be extremely harsh.
“I started out here as a YTS and was just a young lad at the time. Not getting promotion back then is up there as one of the biggest disappointments in my career.
“The way it happened, with us winning the league and not getting promoted because of the stadium, I think that was down to the Glasgow chairmen voting against us.
“It was such an anti-climax at the time. The circumstances are different now but it would be a sore one.
“It looks like the season won’t get finished and it’s now about the best possible outcome. You would think if there was ever a time to do reconstruction it would be now. It would certainly be the fairest option.
“You just wonder how the vote will go because clubs will be looking after their own best interests. I’ve seen a few different scenarios mentioned regarding reconstruction but you’d think there are ways to make it work.
“You are never going to make everyone happy but it has to be about fairness.”
Miller can’t get his head around the turn of events that has turned the world upside down. The former hitman and David McCracken took charge in December following Ray McKinnon’s departure and everything was going smoothly until just a few weeks ago.
Miller said: “Myself, Cracks and [head of performance] Graeme Henderson were on a conference call and saying we are barely six months into the job and then this happens.
“If you’d said back in December there would be a virus spread across the whole world that will end up with countries shut down, you’d be second in the table but the league might not finish and you might not get promotion, you’d think you were watching a movie.
“We’ll look back on this time in 10 years and think about how unreal it was in our first season as managers. The SFA coaching courses don’t have sessions on how to deal with a global pandemic.
“We’ve done well since we went in there. We’ve only lost one game and drawn a couple so we couldn’t have done much more.
“We’ve been delighted with what we’ve done to get into a position where we were right in the frame for promotion.
“It’s just a case of hoping we get the chance to continue it on the pitch.”
Miller admits the club’s short, medium and long-term future could hinge on today’s vote – but is also not losing sight of the bigger picture.
He said: “It’s such a difficult time for everyone at the club.
“There are players out of contract, you can’t make plans and what division you are in plays a huge part in who will be here next season and who we can attract.
“Falkirk on a whole will be OK and we have to remember it goes deeper than just how it affects football. People’s lives are at stake. I had a few calls with older fans and it really hits home. It’s a hard time.”
BY SCOTT BURNS
ROBBIE NEILSON insists the coronavirus cash crisis won’t force Dundee United into selling Lawrence Shankland or any of their top players.
The Championship leaders, like many senior clubs, have put most of their playing and coaching staff on furlough.
Every team is feeling the pinch but Neilson believes United won’t need to sell prize assets to survive.
The Tannadice boss said: “The chairman [Mark Ogren] has been great since he came in. He is strong enough and comfortable enough where we are at the moment that we don’t need to sell anyone.
“We all know that could change depending on the climate. The chairman has been great and very open about the situation.
“It is hard for all clubs because there is no income but we are still finding ways of bringing some money in.”
English clubs have often shopped north of the border for talent but Neilson thinks the crisis could change the landscape of the transfer market.
He said: “If you have 10 clubs looking at a player it drives the price up but if you only have one or two then you might not get that premium price.
“It is England that triggers the market and they are now having big problems with finances.”