Dundee United’s Keith Watson has revealed that the club’s captain kept their new pre-match huddle routine a secret from the rest of the players until the last possible moment.
It was just seconds before kick-off in the cup replay against Ross County that Jon Daly called the players together.
United, of course, eventually triumphed after extra time and penalties, and the huddle was included again at Kilmarnock on Saturday as Peter Houston’s side snatched a late equaliser.
Now, as they prepare to face St Mirren tonight, Watson hopes the new routine will show the supporters just how much turning out for the club means to the players.
“There is a great spirit throughout the side,” said the full-back.
“We have done a huddle before the last two games and it helps everyone get fired up. It was Jon’s idea and it simply increases our togetherness which can only be good for us. It also shows the fans how committed we are.
“To be honest, it was all a bit of a surprise when we did it the first time against Ross County.
“Jon hadn’t told us what he intended to do until we were actually on the pitch but it seemed to do the trick.”
With defenders Mihael Kovacevic, Darren Dods and Scott Severin all suffering from long-term injuries, Watson has seized his opportunity to cement himself in the side and has been ever present since October 26.
That is a run he is determined to continue, especially after enduring months of rehab and operations following two kneecap dislocations.
“We have a really hectic schedule coming up,” he said.
“We have St Mirren, Hibs on Sunday, then Inverness the following Wednesday the games are flying in thick and fast.
“But when I was out injured for a long time, I was desperate to get back playing again so you will not hear me complaining about too many games. I am just delighted to be having a run in the side.
“I am my own biggest critic and while I think I have done well in some matches, in others I have not performed and been a bit poor.
“But I am still young and still learning.
“A lot of our defenders have been injured but some of them are not too far from coming back, so I will just have to keep working hard and hopefully retain my place.
“We have gone 12 games with just one loss so we must be doing something right in defence.Credit”But everyone deserves credit. Our skipper is normally up front every week but he has stepped in at centre-half and done really well.
“Sean Dillon has also moved from full-back and has been superb in the middle of the defence along with Garry Kenneth.”
United have only lost once in the last 12 games and that defeat came against tonight’s opponents at Tannadice on November 10 when two Michael Higdon goals secured all three points for Danny Lennon’s side.
St Mirren frustrated Watson and his team-mates that night but he believes United will have a better chance of breaking them down in Paisley.
“After Higdon scored for them, I did not think they had a lot of the ball but they just sat in and we could not break them down,” he added.
“Then obviously, they scored again and although we got one back late on we could not salvage a draw.
“But hopefully, because they are the home side this time, they will have to come out and maybe attack a bit more and we will have more chances. We are just determined to get three points to push up the league.”
Meanwhile, Watson’s manager has added Danny Swanson to his squad for tonight’s game.Bare bonesThe midfielder’s season has been ravaged by injury and while Swanson is still not 100% fit, Houston may include him as a substitute because his side are down to the bare bones.
Scott Severin, Darren Dods, Paul Dixon and Mihael Kovacevic are all out injured while Jon Daly and Scott Robertson are suspended after picking up red cards at Kilmarnock.
“Swanson has been added to the squad,” said Houston.
“He is nowhere near ready to start but he might be on the bench simply because we are so short of numbers.
“He is still bothered by his sciatica problem but it comes and goes.
“I have it myself and sometimes it is OK and at other times it is painful. It is a case of managing it as it is a difficult thing to treat.
“But Swanny has trained the last couple of days and he is feeling good.”
David Barron is a major doubt for St Mirren.
The defender is struggling with a calf injury ahead of the Paisley contest.
Nick Hegarty, Garry Brady and Gareth Wardlaw remain on the sidelines.