STAR MAKER
Mellon aims to ensure United kids realise their full potential
MICKY MELLON aims to turn Dundee United’s emerging talents into British football’s stars of tomorrow.
The 48-year-old was unveiled yesterday as the Tannadice club’s new manager after agreeing to succeed Robbie Neilson in the post.
The former Fleetwood, Shrewsbury and Tranmere boss revealed that he has been promised the financial backing of the club’s board in the transfer market if required.
But the man who famously unearthed Jamie Vardy from Halifax for Fleetwood intends to give every player already in the building a chance — while pledging to develop them into the best players they can possibly be.
‘You take your time with them and see what they need to get better at,’ Mellon said.
‘It was the same with Vardy, John Stones (who he worked with at Barnsley) and these kind of guys.
‘I had Connor Goldson (at Shrewsbury). We had him and developed him into a fantastic centre-back and sold him to
Brighton for millions. You look at it and know the qualities that are needed for them to be a top player. You recognise it. ‘I’ve been through it before and been successful with it — the proof is there with the boys playing at unbelievable levels. I’m able to bring that to this group of players. ‘I know the techniques needed to show them — the training sessions or talking to them about things in a way they can grasp and understand to make them top players. ‘I really enjoy doing that and I’m so proud of all the boys who have been top players.’ Mellon won five promotions in a decade across his last three jobs but is targeting no more than a sustained improvement over his time on Tayside. Outlining his desire to build on the feelgood factor that’s returned to the club since the Ogren family took control, he added: ‘I want everybody to be excited. We want to keep building the momentum of the last couple of seasons.’ Enthused by the standard of player he’s seen in training already this week, Mellon is in no rush to bring in new recruits. Pressed on the possibility of fresh faces, he said: ‘It’s a bit unfair on the champions of the Championship. They deserve respect. In terms of bringing players in, I’ll give the players here the opportunity. ‘I’ll take my time with that. Assurances is a strong word but if I can bring players that would make Dundee United a better team, then Dundee United would go and do that.’ Although Lee McCulloch has left the club and Gordon Forrest is set to follow him ahead of a possible reunion with Neilson at Hearts, Mellon isn’t desperate to bring in back-up. Impressed with the contributions of fellow coaches Dave Bowman and Brian Grant, Mellon said: ‘After working with them for a few days you realise how good they are.’