Dundee United striker David Goodwillie has been cleaning up at awards ceremonies in the last few days, and team-mate Sean Dillon has admitted he was shocked to be chosen ahead of the £2 million-rated striker as the Tannadice fans’ player of the year.
Star frontman Goodwillie has picked up two national awards this week the PFA Scotland young player of the season and the Clydesdale Bank Premier League young player of the season and could make it a hat-trick if he tops the Scottish Football Writers’ vote.
But the Federation of Dundee United Supporters’ Club have gone in a different direction and the news came as a pleasant surprise to the Irishman.
“I’m delighted about it. I must admit I thought Goodie would have got it though. I certainly didn’t have a speech prepared.
“I think it’s been three defenders in a row Andy Webster last year and Streaky (Lee Wilkie) the year before.
“When you look at who’s got it before it’s a great honour, but I can honestly say it was a surprise because I was expecting Goodie to win it.”
Versatility will be the key for Peter Houston when he’s targeting new recruits this summer, and nobody exemplifies that better than Dillon, the Tannadice boss pointed out.
Houston believes that Goodwillie’s trophy haul is thoroughly deserved, but he is also delighted that recognition has come the way of the dependable Dubliner.
“David Goodwillie’s picked up a few awards and Sean’s got the fans’ one, and I wouldn’t have any argument with that. If the fans recognise you as their player of the year then you know you’ve done well.
“I think David was close and Dusan Pernis must have been in the mix as well, because he’s always stood up to the plate, but Sean’s versatility may have swung it for the supporters.Great season”Sean’s had a great season. He’s filled in at a number of positions and that’s the kind of player we’ll need if we’re going to have a smaller squad next season. We’ll need players who can play right-back, left-back and centre-back, and that’s what Sean has done for us. He’s also filled in at the middle of the park for us many times.”
With Scott Severin and Garry Kenneth back in recent weeks Dillon has been redeployed at right-back, but Houston pointed out that the case he has made for being a regular in the heart of defence is a persuasive one.
“Every time he plays for us he gives us his best. I feel he’s actually excelled at centre-back in a season we badly needed someone to do that. It makes me think that centre-back might be his best position.
“It was maybe a bit unfair asking him to go in there at first but it’s given him a new lease of life. He could easily play there for a full season but he’ll probably have to fill in across the backline next season.
“I think he was Craig Levein’s first signing. He’s maturing, very professional and enjoys playing for United. He was disappointed after being left out a couple of times.
“He missed the League Cup final against Rangers. But he’s excelled for us since then and has benefited from getting regular games.”
Dillon added, “I’ve probably played my best football at centre-back. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence that I’ve just had my best season and I’ve played at centre-back more than anywhere else.
“I’ve said before that I don’t mind where I play but now I’ll probably say centre-back is my best position.”