Dundee United club captain Sean Dillon believes more players living in the local area would help improve the bond between supporters and the club.
The Irishman, speaking on Arabzone, explained: “Disconnect is a word that’s been used recently at the club.
“There have been different opinions on why that is. We’ve got a training ground in St Andrews, not Dundee. For me personally, that’s not an issue.
“It doesn’t matter where we train. I live in the Dundee area, I do my shopping in Dundee, I see people all the time. If I’m on the school run or out and about, I speak to people all the time.
“For me living in the city is a big thing. That can give you more of a connection with the club.
“How do you get that across? John (Rankin) is probably one of the best professionals I’ve worked with. Does he care? Yes he does. Of course he does.
“I suppose it’s down to individuals. There are so many different types of characters.
“If I was to blanket it, and I don’t like tarring everybody with the same brush, but I think it’s important that you’re in the area. It’s easy for me to say because I live in the area. I understand why lads don’t want to move their kids up but for me it helps the connection.”
Dillon has pledged that motivation to bring United straight back up won’t be in question.
He pointed out: “You have to be ready for it but at the moment we’ve got three games to go.
“From a professional point of view we need to prepare for the three games.
“We need to do our very best and then it will be a case of, fitness wise and professional wise, taking a week or two off before being given your programme and you get your head on to come back for pre-season.
“We’ll come back at a similar time and do similar things but the aim will be different. The fight will be there, there’s no doubt about that, it will have to be there.”
