Saints to benefit as Paton avoids relegation

One of Paul Paton’s final acts as a Dundee United player was to shoot a verbal volley at his club after relegation had been confirmed.

It was no-holds-barred stuff from the Paisley-born Northern Irish international.

He neither spun his words nor hid from the debacle that was United’s season.

Instead, he was up front and as honest as can be.

Indeed, you could say he talked as he played.

The midfielder admitted that to lose two managers – Jackie McNamara and Mixu Paatelainen – their jobs was “the lowest of the low”.

Paton argued that United’s policy of bringing in well-paid players on loan to try to save them from the drop “hadn’t been good business for the club”.

He labelled relegation as an “embarrassment” and even claimed that were he a United supporter he would have given the demotion derby at Dens Park against Dundee a miss.

It was refreshing to hear a player speak so honestly about a traumatic experience that was still so recent and raw.

Paton may not have been an out-and-out fans’ favourite at Tannadice but in those weeks leading up to United’s relegation you sensed that if all his teammates had the same drive and determination as he possessed then the Tangerines might just have stayed up.

Anyone who watched the run-in could see that Paton, by then named captain, made a tangible difference to the side after returning from a lengthy injury absence.

It is rather ironic that the man who tried harder than anyone to keep United up over that final stretch of fixtures will now avoid relegation himself.

He is off to St Johnstone and will flourish there under the wise guidance of manager Tommy Wright.

Saints will get a fine player, a leader, and one who is certainly not shy when it comes to speaking his mind.