First Team
All The Info | Rangers (A)
22nd November 2024
With Tynecastle Park having been deemed unplayable in midweek, United's hopes were high that a rescheduled friendly with Hearts would be given the thumbs-up for Thursday.
Boss Alex Smith is keen for the closed-door affair to go ahead to allow closer scrutiny of his possible signing targets. Experienced Latvian Valerijs Ivanovs and Spanish youngster Raul Sanchez are pencilled in for involvement, along with a so far unnamed midfield player from England.
"As well as being useful for having another look at the trialists, the game would also help to top up match fitness for the others," said Smith. "Generally however, mid-winter training has gone well and we have now got to the stage where the lads are looking for games."
"The all-weather-pitch at Gussie Park has proved to be a great investment for the Club - we have made good use of the facility recently."
With some Scottish football bosses calling for an end to the winter shutdown, United's gaffer, the most experienced manager in the SPL, is not in a position to add to the debate. He explained, "The idea of a mid-season break came along in recent years when I was not a club boss. Therefore, this is my first experience of it so I cannot say for sure whether it has been beneficial. People's opinions are often influenced by their own team's form - those on a good run want to continue, those on a bad string of results feel they need a break. One benefit for us has been that the likes of Charlie Miller and Danny Griffin have been able to focus fully on topping up their fitness."
Boss Alex Smith is keen for the closed-door affair to go ahead to allow closer scrutiny of his possible signing targets. Experienced Latvian Valerijs Ivanovs and Spanish youngster Raul Sanchez are pencilled in for involvement, along with a so far unnamed midfield player from England.
"As well as being useful for having another look at the trialists, the game would also help to top up match fitness for the others," said Smith. "Generally however, mid-winter training has gone well and we have now got to the stage where the lads are looking for games."
"The all-weather-pitch at Gussie Park has proved to be a great investment for the Club - we have made good use of the facility recently."
With some Scottish football bosses calling for an end to the winter shutdown, United's gaffer, the most experienced manager in the SPL, is not in a position to add to the debate. He explained, "The idea of a mid-season break came along in recent years when I was not a club boss. Therefore, this is my first experience of it so I cannot say for sure whether it has been beneficial. People's opinions are often influenced by their own team's form - those on a good run want to continue, those on a bad string of results feel they need a break. One benefit for us has been that the likes of Charlie Miller and Danny Griffin have been able to focus fully on topping up their fitness."
