Dundee United midfielder Scott Robertson has revealed he is having to get to know his teammates all over again.
Robertson, who has captained the Tangerines in their pre-season matches so far, is embarking on what he hopes will be a big season for him after finally overcoming his injury woes.
Signed in 2008 from city neighbours Dundee, Robertson quickly established himself as a regular and seemed to have the world at his feet as he made his international debut for Scotland against Argentina at Hampden.
However, his groin problems came back to haunt him and it was not until the tail end of last season that he was back fit again, making a return to the national stadium as a substitute in the Scottish Cup final victory over Ross County.
The next step is Saturday’s trip to the KC Stadium to face the toughest test of their summer schedule so far a friendly against English Championship side Hull City.
And Robertson is happy to get another chance to reacquaint himself with his colleagues after spending so long on the sidelines.
He said, “Coming back into the team has been a bit strange because I feel like the new boy.
“When I first joined the club, David Goodwillie wasn’t considered a first-team striker but now he is probably the main man up front.
“Jon Daly was out injured as well so playing with him is a pretty new experience.”
He added, “Then in midfield guys like Jennison Myrie-Williams, Danny Cadamarteri, Danny Swanson and a few others are all new to me really.
“We still have the regulars who I played with at first but there are a whole load of guys who I am just learning about.”Physio’s impactRobertson is quick to credit Tannadice physio Jeff Clarke for his role in his recuperation but is hoping they can avoid each other from now on.
He said, “I have spent a lot of time with Jeff over the last year and a half he has been great but I am sure he will be glad to see the back of me.
“From my point of view, I hope from now on I won’t be seeing him much.”
A week ago, the United players disappointed manager Peter Houston with the display against Glentoran in Northern Ireland but he was pleased with the way they played midweek against Raith Rovers.
Robertson is hoping he and his teammates can give their manager something to smile about against Hull.
He said, “He was really angry because we were not playing well and some of our play was sloppy.
“He had every right to be and what he said made an impact.”Daly captain at KCLithuanian trialist Irmantas Zelmikas will be handed another starting spot and this game could be make-or-break for the player.
He has looked good but boss Houston is keen to see him defend under pressure, which should be guaranteed from an English Championship side playing at home.
Absent from United’s flight south on Friday were winger Craig Conway and playmaker Swanson.
Swanson is still nursing an Achilles problem, while Conway has a groin strain.
Jon Daly is likely to captain the team at the KC, having now recovered from the groin problem that has kept him on the sidelines.
Daly is likely to be joined in attack by Goodwillie, who has been named in the Scotland under-21 squad for the friendly against Sweden on August 11 at St Mirren Park.
Meanwhile, two young United prospects have been allowed to go out on loan.
Dale Hilson has joined Forfar for a month, while Ryan McCord will be at Airdrie United until the end of the year.Ian Roache will be at the KC Stadium to see how United get on. Read his report in Monday’s Courier.