Goodwin on Middleton future, Buddies battle & Ogren talks
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Saturday's visit of St Mirren.Here are the key lines from his press conference:United are "still hurting" after shipping eight goals in defeats to Hibs and Celtic in the past two games.Goodwin praised Stephen Robinson's St Mirren for their "physicality" and despite winning all three fixtures against the Buddies so far this season without conceding any goals, United are braced for a "battle". A win would guarantee at least fifth for United but a loss would mean St Mirren are only two points behind and Goodwin insists his side have exceeded expectations by finishing in the top six.He adds: "European football would just be the icing on the cake, we always knew it was going to be a fight right until the end and we're very much in it."Goodwin is keen to secure Glenn Middleton, who is out of contract this summer, on an extended deal, saying the winger has been "very productive" in terms of assists and "still has further development left in him".On captain Ross Dochery, whose deal also expires this summer, Goodwin says the midfielder has been "unfortunate" with injuries but is "very influential" when fit and adds: "Ross knows the situation also. We'll sit down with him at the end of the season and have the conversation that we need to have."Owner Mark Ogren is coming to Scotland next week and Goodwin says: "We'll have a conversation with regards to what the recruitment strategy is going to be, what the budget looks like. Of course we'll have a clearer indication to what that budget will be once we know exactly where we're going to be."He adds: "The European money is quite significant and would make a huge difference in terms of the players we might be able to attract."It was a "no-brainer" to send "terrific" 20-year-old Miller Thomson on loan to Falkirk amid interest from other clubs and manager John McGlynn has done a "remarkable" job in steering the Bairns to the Championship title.Goodwin praised young players Owen Stirton and Ruairidh Adams after their spells at Montrose and Kelty respectively: "These players off the back of these loans have been called in to the Scotland set-up and had international recognition which is fantastic for raising their own profiles but also for their development.""Important" defender Ross Graham is likely out for the remainder of the season.
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