My United career failed to hit the heights but I’d love to oversee a new era of talent
Crawf to play key role this time as Terrors No.2
STEVIE CRAWFORD is the first to admit his displays as a Dundee United player won’t be earning him an invite to the Tannadice Hall of Fame any time soon.
But he hopes his work with Liam Fox will one day see a batch of the club’s youngsters succeed where he failed and carve their names on to the Tangerines’ honour board.
Crawford has returned to Tayside as new boss Fox’s No.2 – 17 years on from his ill-fated six months as a United player.
The Terrors have seen plenty of strikers come and go without topping the former Scotland frontman’s tally of five goals in 28 games.
But Crawford can’t hide from the fact he failed to impress during his stint with the club.
He said: “I’m honest enough to say that Dundee United wasn’t a good spell for me.
“It was a difficult spell coming up here as a player.
“I signed in January and then Ian McCall lost his job, which is never nice.
“There were other issues that I won’t go public on, behind-thescenes stuff in terms of finance and what not.
“It just didn’t feel right at the time.
“On a personal note, I had gone through something similar when I was at Dunfermline.
“I felt that I hadn’t done my homework enough coming into an environment where I could see a few people were a little bit disheartened by what they were facing at times.
“So was it the best move in terms of my career? No, I can’t sit here honestly and say that.
“But I am not here as a player. I am here because I want to be here, to help United, to be a small part to add value to us moving forward as a club. I’m grateful for that opportunity.”
Crawford first came across Fox when they were working together with Hearts.
The former Raith, Hibs and Dunfermline frontman was part of Robbie Neilson’s firstteam backroom staff during his maiden stint in charge at Tynecastle, while Fox was learning his coaching trade with the Jambos’ youth academy.
And he expects the new United boss will be keen to put the lessons learned in Gorgie into action at Tannadice.
Crawford said: “The model at Dundee United over the years, they have always given young players an opportunity.
“If young players can get to the level where they can’t refuse the money for them and it gets invested back into the club, then so be it. But it is also about trying to get United finishing as high in the league as they possibly can as that’s what the fans demand.
“It is challenging but it is also exciting.
“It is the next closest thing to being a player when you go out on that Saturday and that’s something I am thankful of, that I have been given the opportunity again full-time.”
Crawford admits he was burned out by this three-year stint in charge of Pars.
But his new role – after time in East Fife’s dugout – working with players such as former Scotland stars Charlie Mulgrew, Tony Watt and Steven Fletcher has sparked his enthusiasm as he and Fox get to work prising United off the foot of the table.
Crawford said: “I know a number of the players, having worked with them.
“Peter Pawlett, Craig Sibbald, Tony when he was at Hearts on loan. With other ones like Charlie and Fletcher, we have a wealth of experience.
“I am not frightened to sit here now and say that they are from a different generation to when I played. I would be silly not to tap into their experience. Different generations get taught in different ways, so I’ll be nipping their heads as much as they’ll be nipping my head.
“They’re good characters who have had unbelievable careers.
“But they want to continue being successful, so they’ll not be happy with where we are sitting at the moment.
“I have done my homework on the group as a bunch.
“I think it is a hungry group that’s wanting to move in the right direction.
“These guys will be vitally important to that.”