Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘Experience could be key for United’
CRAIG Sibbald believes the experienced spine of Dundee United’s team could prove key to winning the Championship.
The table-topping Terrors sit one point ahead of Raith Rovers with just eight games of the season left.
The nail-biting title race looks like it could go right down to the wire, but Sibbald reckons having seasoned campaigners like Louis Moult, Tony Watt, Ross Docherty, Declan Gallagher and Kevin Holt in the ranks gives United a telling advantage.
The midfielder said: “You want to have that experience when you go into those final few big games.
“I am sure that will help us. They are always giving their opinion, their knowledge and passing on their experiences. It helps the younger boys, especially.”
Aged 28, Sibbald also regards himself as one of the older heads in the team and the midfielder admitted he is desperate to start adding honours to his CV. He added: “To be fair, I look at myself as one of the experienced players now. I have played a lot of games and if I can give some of the boys pointers, I’ll try to do that as well.
“Personally, I want to win stuff. It would be brilliant to win promotion. I want United back up to where they belong – that’s the incentive, to get the club back to the Premiership. Everyone wants to play in the highest league so it would mean a lot.”
Sibbald also acknowledged the youngsters at the club have a vital role to play as well.
Miller Thomson is the latest to roll off the production line and the 19-year-old has been a revelation, starting the last five games at right-back. Sibbald said: “Recently you have seen Miller getting a game and he is doing really well.
“He’s a wiry wee player, he is fast and unpredictable. He is good to have in your team and hopefully that helps us going forward.”
Sibbald could be going forward next season in a United shirt after triggering an appearancelinked option to extend his deal for another year. However, he has put all thoughts of contract discussions to one side, saying: “We are just going to talk about that at the end of the season.”
One thing former Falkirk player Sibbald is certain of is a “warm” reception from Dunfermline fans at East End Park tonight.
He added: “I usually get a bit of stick from their fans, but I am used to it. It kind of drives you forward and makes me play better so I am happy with it.”