Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara is determined not to let the intervention of fans’ groups affect his players.
A joint statement issued by the ArabTRUST and Federation of Dundee United Supporters’ Clubs has raised a number of concerns over how the Tannadice club is being run.
McNamara admitted that the move by the trust and federation was “not helpful” as he tries to steer United towards Europa League qualification in what remains of the season.
So with the Tangerines facing three vital matches in the space of eight days Ross County on Saturday, a Dens derby against Dundee on Wednesday and then a home clash with Hamilton Accies the following Saturday the United boss is keen to keep off-field matters away from his squad.
“This has been news to me, really, but it is something the club are dealing with,” he said. “It is not helpful but it is nothing for the players to worry about.
“I have not spoken them about it because it is a club matter and they will deal with it. My focus is on the football side and we have a massive week ahead of us.
“So I’m concentrating on that and it will be the same for the players. That starts on Saturday with Ross County, who are in very good form, so it is important that everyone is together as we try to get the three points.
“We want to end the season on a positive note and we are chasing the teams above us.
“We had a few disappointing results prior to the run of Celtic games so we need to put that whole period to bed now. I think the lads are ready to do that.”
McNamara believes securing continental competition for next season will be a “good achievement” for the club after an absence of three years.
“We are professionals and the most important thing is the next game now and getting the result we want,” he said.
“We want to win our remaining games and secure a place in Europe for next season.
“If we can get into Europe that would be a good achievement because it has been three years since this club competed in European competition.
“So our aim is to finish the season strongly enough to get into Europe over the summer.
“It is still there for us to have a very good season. We wanted to get to a cup final this season we did that. We wanted to do well in both cups and in the Scottish Cup we got to a quarter-final before losing to Celtic.
“And we are still in with a chance of making Europe, although we know to do that we have to get back to the form we showed earlier in the season.
“Certain things have gone against us but that’s football. There has been reasons and at certain points we have not been good enough either. But that’s all part of it, you learn from those experiences and I hope that will help us kick on now.”
The Tangerines will be facing a Ross County team tomorrow that has won five and drawn one of their last six matches.
That is an incredible run of results for a side that had been flirting with relegation.
“County will be dangerous opponents because they have been in excellent form lately,” said McNamara.
“Jim McIntyre is doing a great job there and the break probably came at the wrong time for them.
“It was a good thing for us but if you had asked them they would have preferred to keep playing.
“But it is one thing us saying the break was good for us. What we need to do is come out on Saturday and show that the rest has worked for us.
“We have had a break to re-charge the batteries so the lads have come back in and are ready to go.”
Ryan McGowan will miss the Staggies match through suspension, while the match will come too soon for injured duo Callum Morris and Mario Bilate.
There was good news, though, regarding captain Sean Dillon who has been back training and will be available.