Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Courts believes player’ Watt to
TAM Courts has challenged Tony Watt to fire Dundee United into Europe, saying this stage of the season is “when you want your big players to step up”.
Watt, 28, has been a tireless presence in attack since joining United in January, working the channels, dropping deep and often playing second-fiddle to Marc McNulty in a front two.
While he has contributed manfully to the Terrors’ first topsix finish since 2015, the Scotland international has found the net just once in 15 outings.
That contrasts sharply with his form in the first half of the campaign with Motherwell.
Watt, operating on the left side of a narrow 4-3-3 – and, as such, presented with far more goalscoring opportunities – found the net 10 times in 24 games.
Indeed, he was the Premiership’s top scorer when he made the switch to Tannadice.
And, while appreciative of Watt’s overall displays in recent months, Courts is desperate to see the ex-Celtic and Hearts marksman rediscover his goal touch in the final four games of the season.
“If you look at a lot of our big moments, Tony has been front and centre to them,” said Courts.
“It’s just been the goalscoring lacking.
“Last week against Hearts, he was involved in Dylan Levitt’s goal.
“Against Hibs recently, he sets up Ross Graham.
“There is more than enough quality coming from Tony Watt to suggest he is contributing to the team.
“Over the next couple of weeks, it would be nice to see him back on the scoresheet because I know his ambitions are to help the club get into fourth position.
“Tony, by his own admission, wants to be performing a little better just now. He is also very open about where he wants to improve his own game.
“This is the stage of the season when you want your big players to step up. Tony definitely fits into that category.
“I think he can sense this is an important game... and I’m excited to have him in the team.”
Coincidentally, Watt’s sole strike for United came against Motherwell.
He rippled the net in a 2-0 victory at Tannadice – also the Tangerines’ last home win – to effectively silence the travelling boo-boys. A mild bust up with ’Well chief executive Alan Burrows then followed.