Dundee United might well be renowned for bringing talented prospects to the attention of a wider audience, but Paul Paton is content being one of the unsung heroes.
Much of the media’s attention has focused on the younger members of the United squad who have been catching the eye of some big name clubs in recent months.
But while the parts played by the likes of Gary Mackay-Steven, Ryan Gauld, John Souttar and Andy Robertson cannot be under-estimated, much of the team’s good early form can be put down to the tireless efforts of those in United’s engine room.
There you will find Paton going about his business in typically workmanlike fashion, and the former Partick man has settled into his new role well.
“I just go about my job quietly and let the flair players take all the credit,” he said. “They’ve got more ability than me, so maybe rightly so.
“There are plenty flair players in this team but every team has got someone who is willing to do the dirty work and that’s down to me and John Rankin at the moment, so it’s going really well just now.
“You watch highlights every week and you see the likes of GMS, Armstrong, Gauld, but I don’t think it hits home how good they are until you actually start playing with them.
“I think Gauldy is maybe the one who has taken me by surprise, and he’s so talented.
“Apparently Real Madrid are after him but I think there will be a lot of teams after some of our players at the end of the season, so hopefully we can hold on to them.
“It is obviously a nice problem to have and it shows we’re doing something right, although there’s nobody talking about me yet. But I’m just glad the young boys are having a good season and it’s good to see them doing well.”