Dundee United’s Gauld and Souttar back from Spanish break

Dundee United’s young stars Ryan Gauld and John Souttar have returned to the club following their mid-winter break.

The holiday was sanctioned by manager Jackie McNamara in a bid to recharge the teenagers’ batteries and he is hopeful that the highly-rated duo have rediscovered their “zip” while soaking up the sun.

McNamara said: “Gauld and Souttar will be back from their break. I have spoken to them on the phone while they have been away.

“No doubt they will get a bit of stick off the boys when they come in but regardless of what anyone else thinks, I believe it was the best thing for them.

“I hope they are refreshed and have taken stock of what they have done not just in the last six months but last season as well when they played in the semi-final at a very young age.

“It is sometimes easy to forget just how young they are.”