Aidan Connolly is delighted he heeded his dad’s advice to stay and fight for his place at Dundee United.
Connolly, who had a hand in all of the goals as the Tangerines beat St Mirren 3-0 to go back to the top of the Premiership on Saturday, has revealed how his father, former United star Paddy, urged him to turn down the chance to go out on loan.
Those words of wisdom have now paid off, with the younger Connolly being handed his first start for Jackie McNamara’s side last Wednesday night in the League Cup quarter-final win over Hibs and then retaining his place in the team for Saturday’s convincing victory over the Buddies at Tannadice.
The former Queen’s Park player hopes he has now finally established himself since joining the club along with a certain Andy Robertson.
He said: “It has been a long wait for me. I came here two years ago with Andy, who did well.
“I just kept plodding away and at one stage I thought I was going out on loan.
“But I kept my head down and it has come to this, which is good.
“I spoke to the gaffer and my dad who thought the best thing for me to do was stay and keep my head down.
“I was training with the first team and would get my chance eventually.
“Listen, sitting in the stand watching every week is hard as you know you could play in games. But I feel good now and I believe I made the right decision.
“You just have to take your chance. That’s the main thing.
“I am in about it now and it’s just a case of keeping it going.”