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EXCLUSIVE: Craig Sibbald opens up on being sidelined at Dundee United and Liam Fox man management

Sibbald has shone in successive United wins. Image: SNS
Sibbald has shone in successive United wins. Image: SNS

Craig Sibbald has described his “frustration” after being limited to a watching brief as Dundee United toiled at the foot of the Premiership.

However, the Tangerines midfielder has praised the man management of Liam Fox after it was made clear that his time to shine WOULD come.

Sibbald, 27, enjoyed a fine start to the season following his summer switch from Livingston, producing impactful performances away at Kilmarnock and in United’s memorable 1-0 home win over AZ Alkmaar.

However, he was replaced in successive fixtures against Livi and away in Alkmaar. That 7-0 capitulation in the Netherlands on August 11 would be the last game he started for the Terrors until Saturday’s recall against Aberdeen — three months.

But Sibbald made up for lost time with a virtuoso all-round performance in Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing of Aberdeen, followed by a hard-running, gutsy defensive display in the subsequent 1-0 triumph over Hibs.

Dundee United's Craig Sibbald battles Joe Newell of Hibernian.
Sibbald digs in against Hibs. Image: SNS

“It was a frustrating time for me, not getting game-time,” Sibbald told Courier Sport. “I’m just happy to be back in the starting line-up and helping the team get a couple of important wins.

“I was itching to be involved. I felt like I started this season not too badly, so I was frustrated to drop out.

Speaking to the gaffer, Foxy, he told me to be patient and made it clear that I would get my opportunity. I felt like I took that chance against Aberdeen, and again in the Hibs game — although the Hibs match was more about breaking things up.

“Hopefully that continues, I keep my place in the side and — most importantly — we really climb the table to where we want to be.”

Talks

Sibbald is evidently grateful for the clarity afforded by his gaffer, Fox, as he desperately sought to stake his claim for a starting berth.

Speaking ahead of the demolition of the Dons, Fox noted, ‘I had a conversation with Sibbs and he just needs to keep training hard — he will get an opportunity’.

Craig Sibbald in action for Dundee United.
Craig Sibbald has helped to unlock Dylan Levitt’s creativity for Dundee United. Image: SNS

“It was good that he had that talk with me,” continued the former Falkirk prodigy. “It kept me in the loop and gave me that confidence that I would definitely get a chance at some point.

“When the manager tells you that, and gives you that assurance, it helps you mentally.”

The spell on the sidelines was especially maddening for the player — “I was fitter than ever,” he emphasises — due to United struggling for results.

While Sibbald is too modest to say so, they appeared to miss the combative edge that he can bring to the engine room.

“I don’t mind that (defensive midfield) role at all,” Sibbald continued. “I like to work hard and help the team out as much as possible. If that’s what I’m asked to do, then I’m happy with that role — and when I get the chance to play, I’ll try to play.”

‘Bricking myself’

Sibbald was, however, hugely indebted to his goalkeeper Carljohan Eriksson on Tuesday when a rare errant pass allowed Hibs striker Mykola Kukharevych to race clean through on goal.

However, the big Finn stood firm to spare his pals’ blushes.

Eriksson makes a super stop to save Sibbald’s blushes. Image: SNS

Sibbald laughed: “I was bricking myself at that moment! Thankfully I got away with that one. I did say to Saku, ‘you’ve bailed me out there’. I owe him one, big time.”

With the games coming thick and fast, United travel to Ross County tomorrow before Tuesday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Kilmarnock on Tuesday and a Premiership visit to St Mirren four days later.

“County is a massive game,” added Sibbald. “We are right next to them in the table and we’ll be looking to get three points there and keep this run going.

“But this is what you want when you are in good form — the games to keep coming. We need to keep building momentum, work hard and continue doing the basics well.”

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