Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara has brushed aside suggestions that Sporting Lisbon’s B side is better than his first team.
SFA performance director Mark Wotte made the claim on Monday in the wake of the news that former Tangerines star Ryan Gauld, who moved to Portugal at the start of last month in a near £3 million move, had been demoted to his shadow team by Sporting’s boss Marco Silva.
Wotte remarked: “He has been moved into their B squad but perhaps the B squad in Lisbon is better than the first-team squad at Dundee United.”
That was something McNamara would not pass judgment on. However, he did insist that the move by Silva could benefit Gauld in the long run.
The United manager said: “Mark Wotte is probably better placed to say if Sporting B are better than us. I don’t know what Sporting B team is like their first team isn’t bad! What I will say is that I don’t see it as a slight on the kid.
“Ryan will have a programme there and they’ll look after him. He’ll progress and he’s in a good place. There was a bit of pressure on him so maybe this will allow him just to get on with it and I’m sure he’ll be a big player for Sporting Lisbon and Scotland in the future.
“I wasn’t sure what they’d have planned for him. They paid a lot of money for him and it’s up to them what they want to do with him, and if that is to develop him and make him stronger for the future then that’s their decision.
He added: “They are a Champions League team. He’s in good hands and I’ve got every confidence in him. The fact we’re talking about him now and Mark Wotte is talking about him shows how much he’s in the spotlight.
“There’s a lot of pressure on the kid, especially moving away just now, so I think we should just let him get on with it and he’ll do well.
“I’m sure they’ll be happy with him there’s no doubt about that we were delighted with him and sorry to see him go, but there’s no doubt he’ll be a top player.”
“The fact they were
willing to spend that money on him shows there are good kids coming through our Academy. It’s not just Ryan, we had Andrew Robertson coming through elsewhere and then Stevie May moved away this week,” said McNamara.
“There is some good Scottish talent and hopefully there’s more to come.”
United fans will also be hoping that there is more to come from their team following Sunday’s superb 3-0 victory up in Aberdeen when they face Motherwell at Tannadice.
McNamara paid tribute to the job his opposite number Stuart McCall has done at Fir Park and the way he deals with an ever-changing squad that once again lost key performers such as Shaun Hutchinson this summer.
The United boss admits the Steelmen will be a tough prospect but he is hoping his players can continue where they left off last season against them and extend their winning run over Motherwell to four games.
McNamara said: “Every year people ask how Stuart manages to do it. I think his teams have been incredible, the way he keeps losing players and bringing others in and keeping that consistency.
“He deserves great credit and they had another win on Saturday against St Mirren so we know it will be a tough game. I’ve been listening to people saying Motherwell can’t do it again and I think that might inspire them. “
McNamara has a doubt over Gary Mackay-Steven for the game however he has the likes of Blair Spittal and Chris Erskine waiting in the wings to seize their chance.
Erskine came on at Pittodrie and netted United’s third goal with his manager admitting he is expecting big things from the player this season.
He said: “We’re just assessing GMS’ ankle from Sunday. He’s got a slim chance. He went over on it but he’s responded quite well so he’ll be given every opportunity. There’s a chance for a few of them if he doesn’t make it, Blair Spittal included.
“Chris Erskine has shown signs in pre-season why I brought him here. It can take time to settle in but he’s a great lad and I’ve got every confidence in him. It was good for him to get that game time at Partick Thistle last season. His confidence is back.”