Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Ross ‘different appointments,
TONY Asghar insists Jack Ross is a “different level” to recent Dundee United bosses.
Ross, 46, has penned a two-year contract with the Tangerines and will be charged with building on a fine campaign under Tam Courts last term.
Courts guided United to fourth place in the Premiership – securing European qualification for the first time in a decade – before leaving the club by mutual consent last week.
That followed a campaign of top-flight consolidation under Micky Mellon and the Terrors’ Championship-winning season of 2019-20 under Robbie Neilson.
However, Asghar is adamant United have moved to a different plane following the appointment of ex-Hibs and Sunderland gaffer Ross.
“We knew the next stage we were trying to get to – and the next manager would need to have that level of experience on the back of what we did last season,” said Asghar.
“Jack is someone I’ve followed for a long time and he fits into this football club and the culture we’re aiming for, which is high level and high performance.
“We want to become a regular top six-club and Jack has those attributes.
“We believe he can take us to an extra dimension. I look at the Scottish Premiership and where does Jack sit? We’ve got a top manager in this league. That gives us a real head start.
“No disrespect to what we’ve had before – the guys have done their specific roles – but Jack’s on a different level for Dundee United.”
Courts has since taken the reins at Budapest Honved after departing Tannadice, linking up with his former United colleague Chris Docherty, who is sporting director at the Hungarian outfit.
The former Kelty Hearts boss was initially linked with Croatian club Rijeka, before Honved battled it out with a couple of options in England.
And Asghar has spoken about Courts’ exit in detail for the first time.
“Tam was brought into the club and was fantastic,” added Asghar.
“He got us into the top-four and out of the League Cup group section, which we’d never done