I was right to quit Ibrox, says Charlie Telfer

Charlie Telfer with his Young Player of the Month award. Picture: SNS

The former Rangers youngster was rewarded for some sizzling displays by being crowned SPFL Young Player of the Month for November as he helped Jackie McNamara’s men get back to winning ways in the Premiership as well as booking their place in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup. The highly-rated 19-year-old, who left Ally McCoist’s side last summer in favour of a move to the Tangerines, is beginning to show the kind of form which made McNamara swoop to bring him to Tayside.

Telfer, who is gearing up for Friday night’s televised league clash away to Ross County , said: “I watched the Rangers game on Wednesday night and it was hard to watch. It’s difficult times there at the moment but I’m sure they’ll come through it eventually.

“I’m delighted with the award but I’m a bit surprised because I thought there were a few players here who could have got it. Aidan Connolly has been great and so has Blair Spittal and Stuart Armstrong, so I’m lucky to have got it ahead of them. It’s a real honour and it’s good for the team that so many guys would have been in the frame. It shows I did the right thing coming here.

“I’m playing games now and that makes it special. I came here to play football. The manager has given me a chance and I’m now just trying to work hard and stay there.”

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Telfer’s form has been all the more impressive as he’s blanked out all the off-field furore surrounding the upcoming tribunal between the two clubs as they bid to settle on a compensation fee following his move to Tannadice. He said: “The tribunal is there in the background but it hasn’t bothered me. It was all very complicated when I left Rangers but I made the decision for myself. It was my decision to move on.

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“I’m just focused on training and playing because I don’t want to be distracted from that. It’s out of my hands. I don’t have any say in it so although it has been there it hasn’t been an issue. I’ve had a few messages from Rangers fans on Twitter but I have ignored it. It hasn’t been a big deal. I’ve just been focused on my job here at Dundee United. It’s not something I’ve really thought about.

“I’m going to be here no matter what so it’s best I just focus on what I’m doing every day when I come in.”

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United will be seeking to secure some better fortunes in their latest Friday night clash after enduring a couple of disappointing previous results in that same slot.

He said: “We want to keep our good run going and it would be nice to win a game on a Friday night. The last two we’ve played were Kilmarnock and Motherwell and we lost them, so it would be good to get a victory on television.

“It will be my first time playing up at Ross County. We’ll travel up in the morning, try to get the journey out of our legs and play well. County have improved in the last few weeks. Their performances have been good so we know it’s going to be a tough game against them.”

‘Good recognition’ for Telfer

Meanwhile, McNamara heaped praised on Telfer for his impressive form of late and the maturity to cope with the pressure following his summer switch to the Scottish top-flight.

McNamara said: “I’m delighted for Charlie. It’s good recognition for how he’s done. He had to be patient but he’s been getting better and is part of it now. The tribunal thing has gone right over his head.

“There was expectation on him coming from Rangers and a bit of pressure. But he’s handled it well.

“The same goes for Aidan Connolly and Blair Spittal. They have all come in, showed they’re good enough and can handle it.

“Charlie has good ability. That’s why we brought him here. All three of them could have been in the running for this award.”

Polish defender Jaroslaw Fojut is back for the trip to Dingwall after missing last weekend’s Scottish Cup win at Motherwell, along with midfielder John Rankin who has recovered from a knee injury.

McNamara said: “Jaro is back after his illness and John Rankin is also fit again. We also have the banned players back so I’ve got a few decision to make – but that’s a good thing as a manager. County have improved in the last few weeks. There has been a difference in them.

“Hopefully we can take our chances and if we do that we should be good enough to get a victory.

“We were unbeaten on Friday night’s last season but they have been disappointing this year. Hopefully we can put that right in Dingwall.”

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