NO HOLIDAY NO BOTHER
Ross reports back early to impress new boss
ROSS GRAHAM revealed he cut short his summer break to impress new Dundee United boss Jack Ross.
The defender enjoyed his breakthrough campaign last season but was taking nothing for granted when Ross took over from Tam Courts.
The 21-year-old was even nominated for the football writers’ young player of the year.
But with Ross taking over as head coach, Graham was keen to impress him after returning from Scotland Under-21 duty.
He said: “I had a week off after the internationals but I didn’t want to take more time off so I came straight back in when pre-season started.
“I was itching to be involved again, I wanted to get going.
“With the new manager coming in, I wanted to be in making a good impression.
“I was happy with myself last season but there is still a lot more to come from me. I can do a lot more for the team and hopefully I can kick on, put myself out there for the gaffer.
“This season will be difficult because there is expectation so it’s all about meeting the standards I set for myself.
“Everyone knows what I can do, so I have to maintain them and try to get even better. You should always be looking to get better every day.
“The manager has been positive, I have had good chats with him and he’s told me to work hard and make sure I get picked.
“He has been very clear. He’s got his ideas across and made it obvious what he’s looking for from us.”
United have made three signings so far following the arrivals of Steven Fletcher, Dylan Levitt and Craig Sibbald. They are also set to announce the signing of Australian keeper Mark Birighitti.
As United completed their preseason training camp in Spain, Graham said: “The league will be stronger again this season, a lot of clubs are making good signings and building their squads.
“We have done that too, bringing some top players in. Signing Dylan again and bringing Steven Fletcher in is great for us, they are both top players and will be great signings.
“It has been a good week in Spain, It’s been tough and we know we still have a way to go before we’re ready for the competitive games, but it’s about building things up at this stage.”
United will discover on Monday who they will face in the third round of qualifying for the Europa Conference League.
It will be the Tangerines’ first continental campaign in 10 years.
Graham said: “The draw will be exciting, we are looking forward to it and I’m sure the fans will be as well.
“Hopefully we can get a good draw and get through to the next round.
“It’ll be a dream come true for me to play for United in Europe because I remember being at Tannadice for those nights as a young boy.
“I was at the Dynamo Moscow game ten years ago, that was the last time the club was in Europe.
“It was mental that night, there were scraps in the stand and stuff !
“Hopefully it’s not like that this time, but we want to create good memories for the fans.
“European football is massive for Dundee United, we are a huge club with a great history and this is where we want to me.
“The fans deserve nights like that and hopefully we can give them some good experiences this season.”
With the new manager being in I wanted to make a good impression ROSS GRAHAM ON HIS EARLY START