Dundee United are the latest team to have to deal with Covid-19 issues in Scottish football.
The Premiership side will be without their first-team coaching staff for the game against Livingston on Saturday. They might miss next Sunday’s game against Rangers as well.
The reason for that – the entire staff – including manager Micky Mellon have been told to self-isolate. Therefore, the Tannadice side will find themselves in the unique situation of playing a game, whilst their manager is stuck at home.
Coach is now in spotlight
The man who has been thrust into the spotlight to take charge of United’s training, and probably take charge against Livingston is Academy coach Thomas Courts.
Courts has revealed more about what his role as stand-in coach will entail. He has already been in contact with Micky Mellon.
“At this moment in time the gaffer would probably want me to be focused on a daily basis. We are speaking every six hours and I have already spoken to him twice today” Courts said.
On the plus side for United, Courts sounds confident that he will be able to handle managing the first-team squad.
“A good understanding”
“I will take training tomorrow and if Saturday is required we will just take that in our stride. I feel like I have a good understanding of how I need to represent the gaffer.”
The manager also seems satisfied with the preparations that Courts and the other academy coaches are doing ahead of the Livingston game.
“I have the details that the players need to see and hear out on the training pitch. He (Mellon) has been updated at regular intervals and seems quite content just now.”