First Team

JIM GOODWIN | THOMSON HAS THE MAKINGS OF A FABULOUS RIGHT-BACK

27th February 2024

Dundee United starlet Miller Thomson has ‘all the makings of a fabulous right-back’, according to boss Jim Goodwin.

The headline change to the Irishman’s starting XI for a crunch cinch Championship clash with Queen’s Park, Thomson was resolute in the back four and carried a mercurial threat in attack.

He appeared unfazed as he made his full Tannadice bow in front of 7,300 spectators. It marked his first league start of any kind in tangerine since our 2-1 top-flight victory over St Mirren in March 2022.

Goodwin said: “Miller Thomson did really well, playing in a big stadium with a big crowd - I thought he handled the occasion particularly well. He'll take plenty of learnings from that. When we analyze the game back, I think he'll improve for that experience, he deserved his opportunity.”

“He's got real quality when we're trying to play forward and, being the kind of team we are where we have the majority of possession in games, we need players that can handle the ball in those areas and he can certainly do that.

“I think you see the quality that he brings from dead-ball situations as well. His delivery for the second goal was brilliant, right in that area that we wanted to target.”

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

Thomson is one of 13 home-grown players to feature in a competitive match for the Terrors this term. Academy graduates have contributed a combined 20 goal contributions towards United’s promotion push.

Furthermore, players aged under 23 account for more than a quarter of United's first-team minutes this term. This is more than any cinch Premiership side in the 2022/23 campaign.

“As a manager, how are you ever going to find out if these players are ready if you don't give them the opportunity to play first-team football?” resumed Goodwin.

“I think that's something that I've tried to do through the course of the campaign with the likes of Kai Fotheringham, Owen Stirton, Archie Meekison and Chris Mochrie. 

“The Academy coaches can take a lot of credit for because he's trained really well the last couple of months with us and as fully deserved his place in the team.”

LINKS LEARNING

A stellar loan spell with Montrose laid the foundations for the versatile 19-year-old’s breakthrough into the side for the run-in. During a six-month stint at Links Park, Thomson thrived in a central midfield role - grabbing three goals and two assists for Stuart Petrie’s charges.

Goodwin added: “The loan system is something I'm a big advocate of. I think it's important for these players to go out and experience playing senior football and Miller had a fantastic first half of the season at Montrose. He can play a number of positions as well.

“A lot of his loan spell was in the midfield, but I think he's got the makings of a fabulous right-back. He's still got a bit of filling out to do physically. In terms of his overall positioning defensively he's exceptional - nobody ever gets the better of him. 

“He's got real quality when we're trying to play forward and, being the kind of team we are where we have the majority of possession in games, we need players that can handle the ball in those areas and he can certainly do that.”

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