Dundee United assistant boss Simon Donnelly admits he sometimes feels like checking Nadir Ciftci’s passport just to confirm he really is only 22.
The striker, along with defender Andy Robertson, were given a few days off to recharge their batteries last weekend as they were both suspended for the Aberdeen game, although they will come back into contention for this Saturday’s match with Celtic at Tannadice.
The pair have had tremendous seasons so far, but Donnelly said it is sometimes easy to forget just how young Ciftci is.
He said: “It will be good to have Andy and Nadir back, but the boys like Brian Graham did well in their absence Brian had a great game at Pittodrie.
“But they are two of our main men, so it will give us a problem with team selection.
“It has probably been good for Andy to have a couple of days off to recharge the batteries because he’s barely had a break this season. Nadir has also been class for us this season.”
He continued: “There are times when he becomes frustrated and gets caught up in things, but when he’s on song he’s as good as anything in Scotland.
“He’s got all the attributes you’ve seen that in the goals he’s scored this season.
“People forget how young he is we’ll need to check his passport because he doesn’t look 22 but that’s maybe where the wee inconsistencies come from.
“People look at the beard and his frame and think 30-plus, but he’s only a kid.
“We’ve got a few player of the year candidates who could be nominated because they’ve had great seasons.
“He’s scored 14 goals and he’s an entertainer that’s what the game’s about. He’s clever and creative so might be there or thereabouts.”