COURTS AIMS TO REPAY FANS’ FAITH

TAM COURTS is determined to leave the Dundee United fans on a high after their ‘rollercoaster’ season continues with a crucial game against Motherwell. United have shipped leads in their past three matches and collected two points but remain in fourth place in the Premiership, a point ahead of both Motherwell and Ross County, with four matches left. Courts’ side have not won in five home matches but victory against Motherwell would go a long way to securing a European place. ‘It’s been a rollercoaster for a number of months now,’ the Tannadice head coach told DUTV. ‘There is no getting away from the magnitude of the game and it’s one that we are excited by. ‘We recognise the importance of three points in terms of getting one of those two European places, so it’s a huge carrot and incentive for us. ‘When the fixtures came out, Motherwell, Ross County and ourselves were probably looking for the weeks where we are going to play each other because there’s extra significance on these games. ‘These are the games that are going to determine where we finish. ‘We have backed ourselves and will back ourselves against both the Glasgow teams going forward but there is no doubt that there is extra importance on the Motherwell and Ross County games, particularly because we are at home this weekend as well. ‘Over the last couple of weeks, we have had tremendous backing from the fans and we want to put on a performance and result for them so that they can get excited about the remaining games.’ Meanwhile, Motherwell midfielder Sean Goss got a taste of European football at Manchester United and is now determined to get a full sample of the experience. Goss played in the UEFA Youth League and was in the travelling party for a Champions League clash against Wolfsburg in 2015. The 26-year-old, who played alongside the likes of Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford in the United youth ranks, can take a major step towards playing in the Europa Conference League qualifiers next season when Well face United today. ‘It’s there for us and we are in a position to take it,’ he said. ‘We are well aware of how the form has been but we have to look back at what we have done before to actually get us in that position. ‘I have done the youth Champions League and I was 19th man for a Champions League game with United against Wolfsburg. ‘I have not played first team but I have had an experience of being in and around it. It was an unbelievable experience for me, being with the lads the whole build-up. ‘The youth Champions League was like the unknown, it was always a massive challenge but the games were unbelievable to play in.’