Paul Paton insists there’s a fabulous opportunity awaiting Jack Ross at Tannadice.
And the former Tangerines ace reckons the potential possibilities could run and run if the favourite to become Tam Courts’ Dundee United successor can hit the ground running in Europe.
The former St Mirren, Sunderland and Hibs boss has been holding talks with Terrors chiefs this week, with an announcement on his appointment understood to be imminent.
He won’t have long to get to grips with a squad that booked its return to UEFA competition by finishing fourth last term, with United due to kick off their Europa Conference League bid just five days after their Premiership curtain raiser on July 30.
Reaching the group stage would bank the club a minimum of £2.7million with the promise of more to come with every point picked up.
They last tasted European action in 2012 when they lost 7-2 on aggregate to Dynamo Moscow in Europa League qualifying.
And ex-United favourite Paton insists that cash could help Ross ensure last season’s lofty finish becomes the norm for the Taysiders.
He said: “There’s a big opportunity coming up at United – and it could get even bigger in just a few weeks with the club going back into Europe.
“If they can progress all the way to the group stages there’s the potential there for a big pay day which could be transformative for the club and restore them as one of the major forces in Scotland.
“I know they finished fourth last season but if they could land that kind of income that comes from qualifying it would make the job of sustaining those levels so much easier and they could find themselves there for years to come.”
United sporting director Tony Asghar claimed the club had already identified a “preferred candidate” by the time they agreed to part company with Courts earlier this week.
And it’s no surprise to Paton that Ross has been singled out so swiftly.
Paton – a Scottish Cup finalist with United in 2014 – said: “It looks like Jack Ross is the clear favourite and I’m sure if he gets the job he’ll do very well. He’ll play a decent brand of football, which is important to the fans.
“I don’t think the style under Tam and Micky Mellon was what they’d been hoping for at times. Everyone wants expansive football even though it means you’re at risk of losing now and again.
“But I’m sure they’ll take being at bit more boring and finishing in Europe.
“Jack’s had opportunities through being successful at St Mirren. He’s managed some big clubs in Sunderland and Hibs, his teams play good football, he speaks well in the press.
“So it’s no surprise he’s the favourite for the job.”
Courts has moved on to a new position at Budapest Honved but Paton is shocked to see the rookie boss quitting his Tannadice role after just 12 months in charge.
He said: “I’m very surprised he’s chosen to go to Hungary because I thought United would be the bigger draw.
“He has his own reasons for making the move and must obviously have aspirations of working abroad.
“I imagine he’ll view this as too good an opportunity to turn down but I just think United are a bigger club than Honved.
“Some people will think he’s making the wrong decision but for Tam, he obviously feels he’s making the right one.
“It’s going to be a hard act to follow but Jack Ross is the right choice.”
