Lachlan Rose insists Dundee United will not be intimidated by anyone in the Scottish Premiership this season. The striker, who scored the opening goal of United’s 1-1 draw with Rangers on Friday, said Hearts’ title push last term has given every club in the league belief.
Rose gave Jim Goodwin’s side an early lead at Tannadice, but Rangers hit back in the second half. United were still good value for a point, with Jesse Randal spurning a late chance to take all three.
Belief from Hearts’ run
“It gives us belief, 100 percent (Hearts last season),” said Rose. “As a player, and I’ve always lived by this, I only care about winning games. Scoring is great but I just want to get three points every week. It doesn’t matter who it’s against.”
“Everyone is equal on the pitch. Obviously you respect players at bigger clubs but you can’t give them too much. We’re fighting for something as well. We want to win every game this season and we showed that on Friday. We got a point but we’d have liked three.”
The Australian, signed from A-League side Newcastle Jets in the summer, said United concentrated on their own game rather than on Rangers.
“I watched a little bit of Rangers, but we just focused on ourselves and how we wanted to play on Friday. If you revolve your game around the opposition too much, you lose the character of what you’ve set out to do. As players, we’ve embraced the gaffer’s game plan and we showed that against Rangers.”
Antipodean influence
United now have four Australians and one New Zealander in their squad for the Premiership campaign, a mix Rose believes can help the Terrors. “It’s a good thing to have (Aussies and Kiwi in squad). I came here with an open mind and I wanted to embrace the Scottish culture. I think I’ve done that,” he said.
“Zac Sapsford has been here for one season, Jesse has come in along with more Aussie boys. But for me, I just embrace everywhere I go. I want to build a connection from day one. That’s what will help everyone on the field. We showed on Friday that we’re willing to work hard for each other. If someone is out of position, we’ll cover for them.”
Gutted not to win
Rose was delighted with his opening night goal at Tannadice, having already opened his United account in the Premier Sports Cup. But he was left frustrated not to beat Derek McInnes’ side.
“I love winning so not getting the three points was a bit disappointing,” he said. “Even if it’s against teams (like Rangers) I don’t care, I just want to win games. If we’d have got three points it would have been better.”
“But I’m proud of the effort from the boys. We showed we’re not a team to take lightly this year. The goal happened so fast. In the moment, you just get a touch on it. A goal’s a goal. As a striker, you’re not always going to score clean goals. It went in for me on Friday night I’m buzzing with that. I just wish we’d got three points.”
