BY IAIN COLLIN – Capital City Press
Ray McKinnon fears former team-mate Mixu Paatelainen has ‘a bit of a job on his hands’ in trying to revive Dundee United.
McKinnon played alongside the new Tannadice manager during spells at both United and Aberdeen in the 1990s, and is hopeful the Finn can turn around his old club’s fortunes.
However, the Raith Rovers boss believes Paatelainen will need reinforcements during the January transfer window after taking over a side now rooted to the foot of the Premiership with just one league win all season.
McKinnon reckons the former Hibs, Kilmarnock and Finland manager will particularly have to target a defensive frailty that has seen the Tangerines ship 20 goals in 10 Premiership outings this term.
He said: “I played with Mixu at United and Aberdeen, and he’s a great lad.
“I hope he does well, although I think he’s got a bit of a job on his hands there.
“I think he might want to bring in a few players, because I feel the squad’s a bit light, especially defensively.
“They’ve got plenty of players who like going forward but they have struggled at the other end of the pitch.
“He’ll need to identify some players for January to try and put his stamp on things.
“But I hope he sorts them out, because it’s a good club.”
@IainCollin
