WE CAN JOIN ABERDEEN AT THE TOP TABLE, SAYS REYNOLDS

MARK REYNOLDS reckons new-look Dundee United can emulate Aberdeen — by becoming a major force in Scottish football again.

Reynolds will join United on a three-year deal in the summer having agreed a pre-contract move to Tayside from Pittodrie, where he’s helped Derek McInnes’ outfit transform themselves in recent seasons.

The former Motherwell defender, 31, a member of the Dons side which lifted the League Cup with victory over Inverness at Celtic Park in 2014, is sure United are heading in the right direction under the ownership of American businessman Mark Ogren.

Reynolds has flourished since being handed the captain’s armband after joining Robbie Neilson’s Championship challengers on loan during the January transfer window, and believes the future is destined to be bright at Tannadice.

Reynolds (below) said: ‘I had seven or eight great seasons at Aberdeen. I managed to win a trophy and help take the team from the bottom six to winning a cup, getting into Europe every year, finishing second three or four times.

‘But that’s something I feel can be done at United with the new chairman, the manager and the way they want to recruit.

‘I want to spend my time here in the Premiership. If we don’t go up this year, which we still want to do, then we can build again next season, get a proper squad and have a go at getting up automatically next season.

‘All eyes are still focused on going straight up this season, and they will be for as long as it’s mathematically possible.

‘But regardless of what happens, I’m sure we’ll recruit quality players in the summer.’

United’s sterling comeback to overcome Ayr United 2-1 at Tannadice on Friday night denied Ross County the chance to clinch the title against Partick Thistle yesterday.

Neilson’s men look like finishing second to secure a play-off place in the weeks ahead, but Reynolds refuses to rule out going up automatically.

He added: ‘We have to keep asking that question of County until they either get over the line or we close the gap.

‘Until it’s mathematically impossible, we’ll keep going.

‘But the biggest thing for us is building a head of steam. We have to keep picking up wins, and we showed our character and our ability to do that on Friday night.

‘Even if we go a goal down, we don’t panic, we keep plugging away because we know we’ve got the quality there to get the goals.’