After a summer of uncertainty over his future, Charlie Telfer is back at Dundee United and delighted to report he feels wanted.
By the end of last term, there was a big question mark over the midfielder, who the Tangerines had to fork out £200,000 for to Rangers just two years ago.
He’d spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Championship strugglers Livingston after effectively being discarded by then Tannadice boss Mixu Paatelainen.
That led to speculation he would be moving away permanently this summer.
But he’s back, getting a fair crack of the whip from new boss Ray McKinnon, and couldn’t be more delighted.
“For me it’s been reassuring after going out on loan to Livingston last season,” says the 21-year-old.
“You come back for pre-season training and you are a bit unsure about what your future is but I’ve been involved and now I know I’ll get a fair chance.
“The manager speaks to everyone every day and you know he wants you there. If you are doing well he will play you and that’s all you can ask.”
And while Telfer will not say a bad word about Jackie McNamara, the man who signed him for United, or even Paatelainen, the man who didn’t want him, it’s clear his new gaffer has already made a big impression.
“He is very positive and passionate and expects 100% on the training pitch as well as in every game.
“No disrespect to the previous managers but he has come in here with a clear intention and he knows exactly what he wants. He lets us know what that is and it’s been good.
“On the training pitch, in the changing room and even from the touchline in games when you hear what he’s saying, he’s very clear about he wants and everyone knows what’s expected of them.
“There is no confusion on the park.”
That was clear in the friendly up at Forfar earlier this week when Telfer got 90 minutes that, with a shortened pre-season because the League Cup kicks off in a week, he felt he needed.
Now he’s looking for more game time in the Forfarshire Cup at Brechin today.
“It was good to get a run-out the other night. It was a bit frustrating, as it usually is this time of the pre-season because you do one good thing and then a bad thing but that’ll come.
“In terms of fitness, I’ve been feeling good and that’s the most important thing right now. It’s been good in training over the last week or two and now it’s about getting the match sharpness.”
While it has been a condensed build-up to the real ball coming out, Telfer has enjoyed it and is sure McKinnon’s squad will be ready for action when they run out at Gayfield to face Arbroath next Friday.
“Because the League Cup is coming so soon we are getting games rather than just training and training for a long period of time.
“It’s different and I know there’s not long to go but we’ve been working hard and we’ll be ready. As a footballer you just want to play games and that’s what you get your sharpness from.
“And in pre-season you just want to get to the first game. This year it’s coming quickly and that suits me.
“Everyone is raring to go already. The way we are working in training we should be fitter than most teams and then the football can take over.”
Fans should note today’s game kicks off at 2pm at Glebe Park.
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