When Csaba Laszlo sits down to work out his starting line-up for Dundee United’s vital trip to Livingston next Friday he knows he’ll need to have a long hard think about it.
And the Tangerines’ gaffer wouldn’t want it any other way.
Having had to rejig his team on a weekly basis because of what’s seemed an endless stream of injuries over the past couple of months, the return to fitness of a string of players has increased his options.
Even more pleasing for the manager is the fact the men who came off the bench in the last game, a Scottish Cup defeat at Aberdeen, all staked claims to be involved for the whole 90 minutes at Livingston.
“I was very happy with our bench. Paul McMullan comes on and scores a goal and Scott McDonald and Thomas Mikkelsen have come on and made a difference as well,” said Csaba.
“This is the big thing — that you can change the game when you come on. All three substitutes at Aberdeen did this.
“This means there is competition in a good way and if we have more people in like William Edjenguele and Jordie Briels returning to fitness then there will be even more competition.
“It means I must think more about the team. I don’t have any problem with this because if you show a good performance when you play and in the training then you will come in.”
The gaffer was particularly pleased with McMullan’s contribution at Pittodrie last weekend and is looking for that kind of display from the Scotland U/21 international on a regular basis.
“I have spoken to Paul and told him a lot of times what I want see from him is the end product.
“A lot of times from him we get really good dribbling but what we need to see is the end product.
“At Aberdeen, through the centre, he was dangerous and he showed fight against the big defenders.”
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