Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has praised Kevin Holt and believes his performances have proved his Premiership class.
The versatile defender was a key figure in United’s promotion push and that has remained the case in the top-flight. Holt has played at the back and in midfield for United and has also been on the scoresheet, netting in the weekend win over St Mirren. Goodwin said: “I’m particularly pleased for Kevin Holt because he’s showing everyone he deserves to be at this level.
“His performances have shown why we worked so hard to keep him in the summer. Is he playing with a point to prove? I suppose he does. He wants to show everyone how much he’s enjoying playing at this level again. He had a spell in the Premiership with Dundee, went abroad, then was with Queen of the South and then Partick Thistle. For me, he’d been the best defender in the Championship for a number of years.
“Every time I saw him – along with Ross Docherty – he looked better than the level he was playing at. That’s the reason I went to sign them when I did and I think with Ross you can see when he’s been fit, he belongs at this level too.”
Goodwin has praised the 31-year-old’s professionalism. His manager added: “For Holty, he’s been a mainstay in the team since he came here.
“He’s a great professional, a good team-mate who works hard, keeps himself in great shape and is putting in some fantastic performances. People can see how good he’s been in games for us, but just as much as that it’s the way he puts everything in during the training sessions. He’s been a joy to work with over the last couple of seasons.”
Another key figure for United this season has been top scorer Sam Dalby. His three goals in four games last month has seen him named as the Premiership’s player of the month for November.
He said: “We’re all really pleased for Sam and great recognition for the performances that he’s put in in the last month. You need your strikers to be scoring goals, that’s why we brought Sam to the club.
“He’s scored some great goals for us, he’s led the line brilliantly, a real handful for opposition defenders. I am delighted that he’s got that award to top off what’s been a really good month for him and the team.”
Meanwhile, Goodwin has warned that he expects a reaction from hurting Kilmarnock when they travel to Tannadice this weekend after they lost 6-0 at Ibrox. He said: “I’ve listened to Derek’s comments since and of course he was disappointed with the manner in which the defeat came round.
“It’s a quite convincing scoreline from a Rangers perspective and I’ve got no doubt Derek McInnes will be looking for a reaction from his players. We’ve already seen what that looks like because in the last game against them down at Rugby Park, in the first 45 minutes, we were really, really good.
“Derek has obviously given them a good talking to at half-time and they came flying out of the traps in the second half. Within 15 minutes the game had turned on its head where we were 1-0 up to all of a sudden 3-1 down. I’m expecting a very similar reaction from the Kilmarnock players on Saturday.”