‘No hard feelings towards Ayr’s McCall’

Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson has revealed he didn’t get a chance to chat to Ayr manager Ian McCall about “Shankgate”.

Following the Tangerines’ 2-0 loss at Somerset Park on Saturday, McCall hit out at what he perceived to be a slight that was published on United’s website following the signing of striker Lawrence Shankland from the Honest Men in the summer.

The comments that upset him were regarding the coaching Shankland could now expect at his new team.

The former Tannadice gaffer didn’t hold back when facing the media at trackside but Neilson was then unable to track him down afterwards to discuss the matter over a cup of tea or bottle of beer.

Neilson said: “I didn’t have that, a drink, with him because the wee man didn’t turn up.

“He dived away somewhere. “I haven’t spoken to him but I will see him at some point.

“Listen, that’s football and Cally, his nickname for his fellow manager, is Cally. He is like that and will have a bit of craic here and there.

“That’s part of the game. At the end of the day, we got beat so he can say what he wants.

“We just need to take it on the chin. “I think, with any team, whenever Dundee United are coming to town there is always going to be a build-up to the game and we do take 1,000 to 1,500 fans down there. So maybe it was a case of getting your players going.

“What we have to do is take whatever flak comes our way.”

Picture: SNS Group. Lawrence Shankland.