Ryan Gauld is confident about Dundee United’s chances of returning to the Premiership next season – and an enduring commitment to developing their own players will help them do it.
The former Tannadice midfielder, who got a big money move to Portugal three years ago, had expected the Tangerines to bounce back at the first time of asking.
But he believes a second year in the Championship will not alter the DNA of his old club.
“I was following Sunday’s game online,” he said.
“Even after the draw at Tannadice, I thought they were going to do it in Hamilton.
“It wasn’t to be and I’m sure they will be there or thereabouts next season.
“I think Dundee United are still producing good young players – Scott Allardice, Ali Coote and Jamie Robson have all been involved this season.
“Even if they are down they will still produce good players.
“Everybody likes home-grown players and if you bring up one of your own then you can sell him on and he gets a good career move.”
Gauld added: “It wasn’t good to see the way they were last season and the way they struggled.
“I think it maybe didn’t help that United lost a lot of players in such a short space of time and ended up going down.
“They lost me and Andy Robertson first, then in the January they sold Stuart Armstrong, GMS and Nadir Ciftci went as well.
“They were never going to be able to replace those players.
“I was still surprised to see them go down to the Championship, though.”
