Ross Graham is determined to use his recent derby setback against Dundee as a valuable learning experience. The Dundee United center-back had a mixed performance in the Premiership opener, where despite a solid display, he conceded a penalty after being outmaneuvered by Simon Murray. This penalty allowed Luke McCowan to secure a 2-2 draw for Dundee.
Graham was subsequently left out of the squad for the next match against Ross County, but he returned with a bang in Sunday’s match against St Mirren. Graham not only scored the decisive goal with a well-executed header but also played a key role in securing United’s second clean sheet of the season.
Reflecting on his derby disappointment, Graham acknowledged the harsh reality of top-level football: “Football is always going to have ups and downs. You’re going to make mistakes, and unfortunately, that mistake got punished. That’s how it’s going to be at this level. Every mistake you make is more than likely to get punished. I’ll learn from that.”
Graham appreciated the decision by the manager to leave him out of the Ross County match, as it gave him the motivation to bounce back stronger. “The manager took me out last week and he explained the reasons to me. He wanted me to show a reaction (against St Mirren) and I felt like I did,” he said.
Beyond his defensive duties, Graham showcased his versatility by contributing to set-plays, including a series of long throws that troubled the St Mirren defense. One of these throws even struck the crossbar, causing a moment of confusion. Graham commented on his unique ability: “If you get the ball in the box, it can cause problems for the other team’s defense, so I try to help out in as many ways as possible. If you have a long throw you need to use it to your advantage.”
Looking ahead, Graham is optimistic about United’s season. With a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Motherwell on the horizon, his immediate focus is on the upcoming league clash against St Johnstone. Reflecting on United’s performances so far, he said, “We’re a fairly new side with a lot of new faces in the building. We need to stick together, and we’ve done that.”
Graham’s resilience and positive attitude following his early-season disappointment highlight his commitment to improving and contributing to the team’s success as the season progresses.
