McMullan primed for Premiership step-up
CAPPED at every age level by Scotland up to Under-21s and a shining light in Celtic’s academy system, Paul McMullan looked to be on the fast track to the top. Like so many other youngsters looking for their big break, the final steps proved the hardest.
After loan spells at four different clubs, the winger was ultimately freed two years ago and found a new home at Dundee United.
Still only 23, McMullan has done the hard yards, chalking up more than 170 appearances outside of Scotland’s top division.
After playing a starring role in United’s 3-0 win over Inverness on Friday night, he finally stands on the brink of Premiership football.
‘It would be brilliant to play up there,’ he said. ‘I have never had an opportunity to test myself at that level and, hopefully, over the next couple of games we can get there.
‘But we’ve done nothing yet. We have two big games to get through and we need to prepare properly.’
Although Nicky Clark, Osman Sow and Pavel Safranko shared the goals, McMullan was United’s most dangerous player, persistently getting on the front foot and driving at full-back Kevin McHattie.
As one of a handful of survivors from last season’s play-off defeat to Livingston under Csaba Laszlo, he senses an altogether different mood around the club this term.
After three seasons in the second tier, United finally have found some purpose under Robbie Neilson.
‘You look around this club and you see something you want to be part of,’ continued McMullan.
‘Going for promotion was a major attraction in me signing here — we are now close and hopefully we can get over the line.
‘Everything is in place. The manager came in and assembled a squad that he feels will be good enough to get up.
‘The atmosphere has changed. It feels more positive, like everyone is pushing in the same direction. It’s up to us to make sure that carries on.’
United looked a tired, beaten-up bunch when they faced Livingston in last season’s play-offs but this year’s model looks in better shape. If they need some extra fuel on Thursday, McMullan believes the crowd can provide it.
‘When you see the number of fans turning out to support us, it makes us want to do our best for them,’ he said.
‘We had three stands full of fans and, although you can talk about fatigue, that kind of backing gives you an extra 10 per cent.
‘We feel we’ve still got lots left in the tank for this match. The lads’ fitness levels are great — you saw us chasing down the goalie in the last minute, so I wouldn’t envisage any problems there.
‘In terms of fatigue, we’ve had an extra day to prepare. It does feel like we have the momentum this time but we have to carry that into our next performance.
‘We don’t use what happened last year as motivation. It’s a new group. Not many of us were here last year and that’s probably a good thing, these players aren’t carrying that disappointment with them. We are just aiming to get up. It feels really good. We were probably unlucky to win by only three goals on Friday. Nick and Sow started, both scored. Pav came off the bench and tucked his finish away perfectly.
‘It shows you the quality we have up there. If we can create chances for these guys, we are confident they will score.
‘That’s not something that happens very often, so hopefully we are catching fire at the right time.’