Dundee United striker Nicky Clark keen to sign new deal

Nicky Clark is hoping to become the latest Dundee United player to get his long-term Tannadice future sorted out.

Sporting director Tony Asghar has secured player after player on extended deals in recent months and Clark wants to be the next cab off the rank.

The timing certainly feels right as, after scoring for the fourth game in a row, the former Rangers and Dunfermline man feels this could be his best run of form in a United shirt since arriving at Tannadice.

“Maybe, aye,” he said.

“There was a spell towards the end of last season when I got a few goals but I’m delighted with how things are going for me just now and long may it continue.

“I definitely want to stay here.

“I’m really enjoying it. Last year was so disappointing and I want to help get this club back to where we belong and play in the Premiership for them.

“If my future is here then I’ll be delighted.”

There is long-term planning off the pitch but manager Robbie Neilson has got his players focused on short-term football goals.

After making it six wins out of six against Alloa on Saturday, United will get the chance to open up a 10-point gap on nearest challengers Inverness Caley Thistle by beating Morton at Cappielow tomorrow night.

“The focus goes straight on to Tuesday night,” said Clark. “Confidence is high and it’s a case of looking to beat the next team that is put in front of us.

“It’s a game in hand for us on some teams so it’s important we take advantage of that.”

Clark and Louis Appere made sure Neilson could keep Lawrence Shankland on the bench but a return for the team’s talisman is imminent.

“It’s good to see him back in the squad,” said Clark.

“He’s been working really hard on his fitness. We need to make sure he’s right and we don’t want to rush him.

“If me and Louis can keep scoring it takes the pressure off.”

Clark scored in first half stoppage time after United, who had bombarded the Alloa goal, had fallen behind to a Mark Reynolds own goal.

Appere finished off an inch perfect Ian Harkes cross on 55 minutes and then it was a case of an ever-maturing Tangerines team seeing the game out with a minimum of drama.

“I thought we started really well and Jamie MacDonald has made a few good saves,” said Clark.

“Then they get a freak goal but we stuck at it and scored just before half-time.

“A bank of four and a bank of five is hard to break down but we got a goal quite quickly in the second half and were able to get our win.

“The three points was all we were after.”

Clark’s goal was the pivotal moment of the match, according to Neilson.

“It was very important that we scored just before half-time,” he said.

“I thought we had played very well in that first half and we’d have been disappointed to go in one down.

“Getting that goal gave us the platform to go on and win.

“Alloa were very good again but we deserved our win. Whether you win 6-0 or 2-1 it’s still three points.

“The big thing was we responded well to adversity. The fans stuck behind the team after we lost the goal. There was no negativity from the stands which was important.”

There was nothing in the Alloa performance for their players to be ashamed of but Peter Grant believed – not for the first time – his side were the victim of a poor refereeing decision.

He said: “When you hear the Dundee United fans whistling for the full-time whistle that
tells you everything about how we finished.

“For the winning goal, how can Scott Taggart be five yards in front and then Appere ends up five yards in front?

“There’s only one way – because he pulls him back.

“I thought some of the decisions at times were mind-blowing.”