Dundee United v Ross County: Millar now fit for purpose as Tannadice career gets out the blocks

Saturday 26 January 2013

MARK MILLAR was signed by Dundee United in the summer but it has taken until now for the midfielder to arrive.

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A series of assured performances at the hub of a young Falkirk team that refused to do as they were told by knocking both Rangers and United out of the Scottish Communities League Cup last term had brought him to the attention of those at Tannadice, only for Millar to then disappear from view for much of this season.

He has started just six matches and has seen just one of them all the way through, his first 90 minutes in a United shirt coming in a win over Kilmarnock last weekend. That has informed steady – if somewhat belated – progress at the Tayside club and he could make his third consecutive start against Ross County this afternoon. The match is subject to a 9am pitch inspection and Millar is eager not to be left out in the cold once again.Those privy to his outings for Falkirk last season would find it hard to fathom that the midfielder has struggled to make an impact in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. The good form of other players was always likely to require patience from Millar but his early appearances suggested he might have been spending a little too long with his feet up; poor fitness meaning he found it hard to force his way into the United midfield."It has been a tough time," said Millar. "I think it [struggle to get starts] has been about both my fitness and the boys doing so well. I only have myself to blame for the fitness side and you can't really complain when the boys are playing well. But I have been working hard and have played the last few games so hopefully I have given the gaffer a headache and hopefully I get picked again [against County]."Millar's resurgence has been well-timed since Peter Houston, the United manager, has announced he will leave his post at the end of the campaign, and any parties interested in taking on the role will have an eye on how the United team are doing. That United followed the revelation with a win at Rugby Park suggested the squad have been uninhibited and Millar was adamant that it has been business as usual in training this week."I don't think it has changed," he said. "We know what we have to do, we want to finish in the top half of the table, so regardless of who the manager is, we will work hard and try to get results. Players and managers come and go but everyone gives 100% and hopefully you get your rewards at the end of the season."Houston is not the only one on his way, with forward Rudi Skacel expected to leave when his contract expires at the end of the month. The visit of County could mark his penultimate outing at United, then, although the Highland side will be more occupied by giving a debut to new signing Steffen Wohlfarth.The German striker forms part of a revamped forward line for County – Ivan Sproule also arrived this month – and Derek Adams is confident he will prove a success. "Steffen has been here for a few weeks now and he's looking forward to getting started," said the County manager. "He's a strong attacker, he's six feet plus, he takes the ball in well, has good technical ability, a good idea of the game."We have got good competition there with Gary Glen, Steven Ross and Sam Morrow. I'm really hopeful that he becomes a big part of our season."

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Dundee United v Ross County: Millar now fit for purpose as Tannadice career gets out the blocks

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