Rado Cierzniak has revealed the secret of Dundee United’s success this season they are all one big happy family.
The red-hot Tangerines travel to face Kilmarnock today and the big Polish keeper says Jackie McNamara’s side are a really close-knit group, on and off the pitch.
And he believes that, along with their free-flowing cavalier style, has been a big factor in so many players agreeing to extend their contracts recently with Stuart Armstrong just two days ago joining the likes of Nadir Ciftci and Ryan Gauld in committing his long-term future to Tannadice.
The goalie said: “Our attacking play is great to watch and everyone is enjoying themselves.
“I think this is key to us doing well as everyone is happy on the pitch. We pass the ball well and there is great movement from all the players. This is definitely the most exciting group of young lads I have played with.
“At the moment we are like a family. It’s not just on the pitch or in the dressing-room, we meet up after training in Dundee for a coffee or go to the cinema.”
When asked if the team spirit was one of the main reasons so many lads were keen to sign new deals, Cierzniak replied: “Yes, if you are happy in your job and mix after training, it is very important for the players.
“It is great for me as well. There is nothing worse than thinking, ‘Oh, no, we have training’. but here, everyone is happy to go to training.”
He continued: “It would be great if we could stay together. It is very important for the young players to stay and get the right experience.”
With so much emphasis on attack, Cierzniak has to be on his toes to keep his concentration levels at their highest to ensure he does his job properly when called upon.
He said: “I train very hard every week, and at the moment my confidence is very high. The whole team is playing well, so I feel good.
“The way the team is attacking just now actually makes it difficult for the keeper as I might only have one or two saves to make in a game. So you have to be switched on all the time. This is a new experience as I have never played in a team like this.
“It is a real test for me as it is very easy for the goalkeeper to make a mistake if the team is on the front foot all the time.”
United’s great run of form continued last week with a convincing 4-1 win over Hearts at Tannadice.
Cierzniak was delighted with the victory, although from a personal point of view he was unhappy with the goal he conceded.
He said: “Last week I was disappointed that although we scored four great goals, I conceded one.
“Keeping clean sheets is very important for me and for Hinchie (goalkeeping coach Craig Hinchcliffe) as well. Our target before every game is to keep a clean sheet.
“After the last game I was happy we won 4-1, but still frustrated that we lost a goal. We haven’t conceded a lot this year, so it hurts even more when we do.”
The form book suggests that United should be banking on collecting another three points this afternoon at Rugby Park against a Kilmarnock side sitting at the wrong end of the table and which lost 5-2 to the Tangerines just two weeks ago in the Scottish Cup.
However, Cierzniak is taking nothing for granted.
He said: “I am expecting a very difficult game. Even although we won 5-2 against them the last time I have a lot of respect for them. I saw the highlights of their win against Ross County last week, so I am ready for a tricky match down there.
“But we are in such good form, we must be confident of winning the game. The way we have been scoring, the fans are maybe expecting us to win by four or five goals every week, but the most important thing is that we get three points and I keep a clean sheet.
“I don’t care if we win by just one goal.”
United have injury doubts over Gavin Gunning and Nadir Ciftci, with both facing late fitness tests.