David Robertson is loved by the Dundee United supporters for the important goals he has scored coming off the bench.
The 23-year-old midfielder spent much of last season on the periphery of the Arabs side but still scored vital goals. Now Robertson wants to be more than an impact player.
He said: “This season is huge for me because it wasn’t until the end of last term I started playing regularly.
“When Craig Levein left I spoke to the manager and he gave me a chance. I’ve got a reputation as a supersub, but I hate it. It’s the worst tag in football.”
Another United star on the rise is attacker David Goodwillie, who scored twice in the 5-0 romp against Raith Rovers on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old finally looked like fulfilling his potential last season and scored a stunning goal in the Scottish Cup final win against Ross County.
Robertson is a close friend of the Stirling-born player and believes it will not be long before Scotland manager Levein comes calling.
He said: “I had been speaking to David Goodwillie and he wasn’t happy. But he certainly put things right on Tuesday. He scored twice and set one up for me – he was immense.
“I think he will really take off this year. Towards the end of last season he showed what a good player he is. He’s still only 21, but seems to have been around forever. He’s been around the first team for five years. He had a lot of pressure when he was very young but he’s come through.
“I’m not surprised teams are looking at him and if he can keep progressing it won’t be long until Mr Levein is thinking about him.”
United were criticised by manager Peter Houston last week after their 1-1 draw with Glentoran but Robertson reckons Tuesday’s win at Stark’s Park shows they are back to their best.
He said: “It was a much better performance. We had not done ourselves justice in the pre-season games so far and the manager thought we’d taken our foot off the gas. We hadn’t started well, but against Raith it was more like the real United.
“I think we showed what a good team we are and the fact the goals were spread around the team was encouraging.”
United will continue to run the rule over the three trialists they have at Tannadice.
Lithuanian international Imrantas Zelmikas has impressed and will play against Hull this weekend, while youngsters Johnbull Omeregie and Nigel Hasselbaink – nephew of former Leeds and Chelsea attacker Jimmy Floyd – will continue to train with the squad.
Houston said: “Johnbull has been training with the youths for the last few weeks so I’m having a look at him. He’s from the same area as Prince Buaben and he’s been recommended from the same source.
“The other one, Nigel Hasselbaink, is from Holland and played for Go Ahead Eagles across there. He’s a winger and has been recommended by a contact.
“We’ll have a look at them and also at Irmantas again.
“He’s going to come down to Hull. That will be a big test as they have kept a few Premier League players and will be out to impress their new manager.”