Jackie McNamara reckons he has been dealt a rougher hand as Dundee United boss than Derek McInnes has at Aberdeen.
Since taking over at Tannadice, McNamara has had to cope with the departures of top players like Andy Robertson, Ryan Gauld, Johnny Russell, Jon Daly, Willo Flood and Barry Douglas whilst the club worked to wipe out crippling bank debts.
McInnes, meanwhile, has hung on to ALL of his star men, lending the kind of on-field stability McNamara can only dream of.
That, according to the United gaffer, is the key difference between the two clubs and it has worked in the Dons’ favour.
McNamara said: “We are different clubs altogether. Like myself, Derek’s gone in there and you inherit debt.
“His debt’s gone not by selling players so it has worked out differently.
“We lost two youngsters in the summer but their younger ones are Pawlett and Jack who are getting to that age of 23, 24, similar to Mackay-Steven.
“It’s different from Gauld and Robertson and guys like that.”
Circumstances may have been kind to McInnes, but McNamara still believes the Dons boss deserves praise for what he has achieved at Pittodrie.
“I get on well with Derek. He’s a good guy,” said McNamara.
“He had a wee setback when he went down the road to Bristol and learned a lot from that. He has done a good job and got Manager of the Year last year.
“He’s kept the majority of his squad and added one or two into it like Ash Taylor, Shay Logan who has joined them full-time and David Goodwillie.
“He’s been able to build from last year and keep the ones he’s had relative success with but he has done a fantastic job.”
Gary Mackay-Steven will become the latest in a long line of high-profile departures from Tannadice when he joins Celtic either in the summer or before the transfer window closes.
For the latter to happen, the Bhoys would need to shell out a healthy six-figure fee.
And McNamara reckons there’s no danger they will do so before Saturday’s crucial New Firm League Cup semi.
He said: “All of our players will be here for the semi-final.
“Gary is important for us with his goals. I said all along that Gaz was leaving in the summer, we thought he was going to go to England but Celtic has been the best option for him.
“He’s taken it and as a manager I respect that. Hopefully, while he’s here with me, he gives the best he can for the club which he has done.”
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