First Team
The Gaffer Seeks Consistency After Disappointing Loss
2nd February 2025
Our latest recruit, Allan Campbell, shared his thoughts after making his debut in the tightly contested clash against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Despite the disappointment, he remains optimistic about the team's prospects moving forward.
The 26-year-old acknowledged the difficulty of the match, recognising the physical nature of Kilmarnock’s approach and the challenges posed by the pitch. "I knew it was going to be a tough game coming here. It’s not easy with the pitch and the physical battle. We expected that, and I thought we handled it well overall. I was just disappointed with the result."
The midfielder came close to making an immediate impact, nearly scoring within the first minute of the match. "I probably should have done a bit better," he admitted. "I didn’t expect it to fall to me the way it did. It came in a bit fast, but I thought I should have scored. Looking back at the game as a whole, I feel we did enough to get something from it."
Having just returned to action after a period on the sidelines, Campbell was pleased with his fitness levels. "I felt fit, and I walked off the pitch feeling good. Everyone knows I love the graft, and I was excited to get back in and meet the boys. The Gaffer showed faith in me by putting me straight in, and I really appreciated that."
Discussing his decision to join Dundee United, he highlighted the positive influence of the manager and his connections within the squad. "There were a few options, but after speaking with the Gaffer and some of the lads already here, it just felt right. I wanted to get back to enjoying my football again, and this was the perfect place to do that."
Reflecting on the past 18 months, the Scotland international admitted that not playing as much as he had wanted was frustrating. "As a player, you just want to play as many games as possible. That’s why we train all week, to go out there and perform at the weekend. Not playing regularly was tough, but I’m here now and focused on getting back to playing consistently."
Looking ahead, he remains optimistic about the team’s potential. "The boys have been flying, and I’ve come into a positive group and the ambition in the squad is clear. We’ll take this result on the chin and keep pushing forward. There are still plenty of games left, and we just need to focus on getting as many points as possible."
When asked about his future beyond this season, he kept his focus on the present. "My mindset coming here was just to play. I’ve been frustrated over the past year, so all I want to do is get back on the pitch and enjoy my football. Whatever happens beyond that, we’ll see when the time comes."
As we continue our campaign, Campbell’s experience and work ethic will be crucial in helping the team push for their goals.
