Jackie McNamara has delivered the news all Dundee United fans had been hoping for Ryan Gauld has not suffered a serious injury and could be fit for Friday night’s Scottish Cup tie against Kilmarnock.
The home supporters watching the game against Partick Thistle on Saturday feared the worst when the talismanic Gauld fell to the turf in agony late on and had to be helped off following a challenge by the Jags’ Isaac Osbourne.
McNamara is hopeful Gauld should be all right and said: “I watched it back and it looks like the lad’s knee has caught his standing leg.
“It was just knee to knee and he should be OK.
“Ryan is quite a tenacious, fiery wee guy and he normally takes the challenges, picks himself up and gets on with it so it is worrying when you see him having to go off but, as I said, he should be fine.
“There are a few others carrying wee knocks. Stuart Armstrong hurt his thigh, Gary Mackay-Steven took a few sore ones and a couple more will work with the physio rather than train to make sure they are all right for later in the week.”
On what turned out to be a good news day for United, attacker Nadir Ciftci extended his contract until May 2016. The 21-year-old striker has scored seven goals in 16 appearances.
McNamara said: “Such has been the impact of Nadir, I felt it was important to move quickly and offer the extension. He has fitted in so well, not just on the park but also in the dressing room.
“His ability is aligned with his desire to improve as a footballer and he wants to do this at Dundee United.
Ciftci said: “From the first day at training I knew I would enjoy being at Dundee United and, over the first few months of the season, this has proved to be the case.
“It was an easy decision for me to extend my contract.
“It is exciting to be part of this team and I have also been delighted with the response of the United fans to my style of play.”