ANDY McLaren reckons the stakes are as high for Dundee United’s class of 2017 tonight as they were when he and current manager Ray McKinnon helped the Tannadice side sneak into the top flight via the play-offs 21 years ago. It took a nervy last day draw against Morton at Cappielow on the last day, a 90th minute Brian Welsh equaliser in the play-off second leg against Partick Thistle, and an extra time Owen Coyle winner, to return relegated United back to the big league in 1995-96 and spare Billy Kirkwood’s big spending side from an uncertain financial future. McLaren, speaking as Elite Collaboration launched their ‘Back Onside’ project for mental health week, sees parallels with the Tannadice side’s promotion equation this time around, as they prepare to host Morton in a play-off quarter final with a crucial yet fragile 2-1 lead.
“Coming up through the play-offs is great - beating Partick Thistle that night is probably one of my best Dundee United experiences,” said McLaren. “We scored with virtually the last kick of the ball to take it to extra time - I think there were about 30 seconds to go when I crossed it in and big Welshy headered it. And then I set up the other one for Coyley in extra time. So they are good memories for me. They are great games to play in - if you win. Tannadice was absolutely bouncing that night, just with the emotion of it all. We spent a few quid that year and if we hadn’t got up who knows what might have happened.
“It is really important again that they go up this year because the longer you stay out of it, the harder it is to get back in there,” he added. “It affects every part of the club, from people working in the office up. Because I dare say it they don’t get up this season, there will be cuts to budgets.”
While United’s first leg win gives them the advantage ahead of tonight’s second match, the really bad news for the Tannadice club is how the dice are loaded against promotion-chasing Championship sides these days. It is one game down, five to go if United are to make it back up, but Morton, Falkirk and whoever finishes 11th will have something to say about that.”They have put themselves in a great position,” said McLaren, who also had a loan spell and a season signed permanently at Cappielow. “But the last time we went up through the playoffs with Dundee United it was just a straight home and away. With this format it is definitely weighted in favour of the team who is second bottom of the Premiership. They are emotional games, you know, it is not just physical. I would like to think they could maybe tweak it to improve it - maybe they would be better just making it a one-off game, in a neutral venue.”
McLaren, who has put troubles with alcohol and drugs behind him to run his own charity A&M Scotland, stifles a laugh when he considers the positions of power now occupied by himself, McKinnon and Dave Bowman, who works with the club’s development squad. “I think if you had seen myself, Ray and Dave at 20, 21 we would be long odds to be doing the jobs we are doing right now!” he said. “We were daft young kids at that age but you mature along the way. He hasn’t just been handed it on a plate, he has had to work his way through. He went junior, then Brechin, then Raith Rovers, so he has served his apprenticeship and he is highly spoken of.” As well as Morton have done to reach the play-offs, midfielder Ross Forbes insists they are not content to pat themselves on the back for simply getting there. “We don’t just want to make the play-offs and that is it,” he said. “We have got to give one final push and see where it takes us.”
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