Dundee United defender Barry Douglas has been challenged to transform what has been a difficult season so far by securing a new contract.
Tangerines boss Peter Houston, who made Douglas his first signing as manager when he snapped him up from Queen’s Park in the summer of 2010, is delighted to see his player coming through what has been a tough period in his life.
Douglas (23) was devastated to lose his uncle Scott who had played such a major role in his career to cancer and was given compassionate leave by Houston.
Slowly but surely he has battled back and it was his terrific cross from the left that found the head of Jon Daly to level late for United in their thrilling 3-3 draw with Kilmarnock on Friday night.
Houston is looking for that form to continue and, ultimately, to lead to Douglas signing a fresh deal when his current one runs out in the summer.
The Tannadice boss said: ”Barry was excellent against Kilmarnock and it is great to see him back because he’s had a tough start to the season for personal reasons, with his uncle dying.
”The reason why I gave him the number three jersey is that I have always said he’s got the capabilities to play in our first team.
”He hasn’t shown it an awful lot this season, if I’m being honest, as he made mistakes against Killie earlier in the season. But the best way to rectify that is show what a good player he can be and I thought on Friday his overall use of the ball was superb.
”He can hopefully string a run of games together and show the kind of consistency to make me give him a new contract.”
That Daly goal capped yet another spirited fightback by United, who were both 2-0 and 3-1 down to Killie before storming back. It is, of course, not the first time they have left themselves with proverbial mountains to climb during matches this term.
That has left not only Houston frustrated but also a few supporters, one or two of whom had a go at him and some players on Friday.
”I was disappointed with the reaction of one or two of them,” added Houston. ”It was in (the form of) individual stick being given to myself and to one or two players but personally I can take that.
”You can take criticism but some of the things I heard them shouting were bang out of order.”
Meanwhile, right-back Keith Watson is recovering after a knee injury ruled him out of the Killie clash.
Houston said: ”It’s not great news for us because we’re already short at the back. We can ill afford any more injuries but at the moment we don’t know how long he’ll be out for.”