Have United Found Barry Robson’s Replacement?

Captain, top goal scorer and creative midfielder – the loss of Barry Robson to Celtic was a huge blow to Dundee United.

The Tannadice club have struggled to find form (and the back of the net) ever since Robson £1.25million move to Parkhead last January.

Although, manager Craig Levein think he has already found Robson’s replacement and is hoping that midfielder Craig Conway is finally ready to start having a bigger influence in his Dundee United side.

Conway opened the scoring with a magnificent 30-yard free-kick against Hearts at the weekend, a goal which inspired United to a 3-0 win and a 3rd consecutive victory.

“Craig Conway frustrates me, because I know he’s got that in him. He practices that every week and he’s been waiting for one to hit the back of the net,” Levein told the BBC after the 3-0 victory.

“I think it was important to get the first goal and what a way to open the scoring. He scored a great goal and was a real thorn in hearts side all day.”

It’s obvious that Conway is aware of the pressure on him to take over from the club’s departed captain, especially in the free-kick department.

It was the 23-year-olds 1st goal of the season, his last SPL strike came against Kilmarnock in the 2-1 victory at Rugby park on the 26th of January, but it was a goal that was well worth waiting for.

“I’ve been watching Barry Robson,” joked Conway to the Dundee Courier.

“I don’t know where it came from, we’ve been practising a few free kicks, but I’ve never managed to do it in training.”

“We haven’t scored one since Barry left so it’s good to get that monkey off our backs.”

During the 90-minutes, Conway attracted the unwanted attentions of several opposition players, including Hearts midfielder Eggert Jonsson, who was eventually red carded for several poor challenges on the United player.

“I’m sore all over but that’s part of the game, especially in my position. You’ve got to just keep getting the ball and getting on with it. The more you run at them the more they don’t like it,” continued Conway.

“You’re taking people on so there’s going to be times when you’re going to get fouled, especially if you’re doing well.”

“It’s not nice getting kicked all the time but I suppose it’s a sign that they’re finding it difficult to handle you.”