Report: Ex-Celtic striker annoyed he was Dundee United ‘scapegoat’ before redemption arc under Jim Goodwin
Watt scored 14 goals in 43 games as the Tangerines won their return to the top division by winning the Championship title.
Tony Watt believes he was unfairly labeled as a “Dundee United scapegoat.”
He believes that blasting them back to the Premiership is the best way to calm their doubts. The striker was loaned out to St Mirren for the second half of the 2022-23 season when Liam Fox determined he was not in his plans.Watt believes he was unfairly blamed for the club’s relegation to the lower leagues.
Rather than be the problem, Watt has gone on to show he can be more of the solution as he was a key man when Jim Goodwin’s side surged to the Championship title. Watt said: “I had to rebuild bridges that had come apart but I think everyone has seen the real me. I had to put up with all the lies and rubbish about the way I was portrayed.
“When the crowd sang my name on Friday night, it was a wonderful moment for me; it has come full circle, hasn’t it? I’d say this season was the best for me just because of the conditions. For me, this was more important than finishing fourth because of the perceptions people had of me and the manner I had to change people’s minds.”
Watt was always convinced that Goodwin would give him a chance at atonement. He continued, “I wasn’t scared about returning because I’d heard via the grapevine that the manager (Jim Goodwin) would give me an opportunity, and he’s an honest guy.
“But I didn’t want to come back because I was so hurt. I was the scapegoat, and I was made to look like an idiot.
“I was portrayed as the problem when there were considerably greater problems. But I’ve held my head high and reaped the benefits; we’re back where we should be.
“My teammates have been extremely supportive; it’s a proud moment – we feel like a family at this club.” Excuse the pun, but everyone is in agreement here. If I can get 90 percent like me and 10 percent disliking me, that will suffice!”
Watt believes that the amount of time United has spent outside of the top flight is incorrect, and that they must fix this issue. It is not just about getting promoted; it is also about establishing oneself in the Premiership.
Watt remarked, “The only unpleasant part is that we had to take this year’s break from the Premiership because this club should always be there. This club has been in the Championship for five of the last ten years, which is a disaster.
“It shouldn’t be occurring, and hopefully now that it’s resolved, everyone can go forward. Given the size of the club, we shouldn’t even consider it.
The former Motherwell and Celtic striker got a taste of United’s potential when over 12,000 fans turned out for the trophy ceremony. Watt stated, “Hearing the entire audience sing Dignity was a fantastic experience – it was a dream.
“That’s one of the songs my friends and I used to sing along to when we were younger. So to hear a filled Tannadice doing that was a fantastic experience. That concluded it. It’s been a season of highs, and perhaps next year we’ll give them more opportunities to celebrate in that way.
“We will go into the new season with a lot of momentum after this season and who knows what will be possible for us? We’ll certainly have to work hard, harder than anyone else and that’s what the gaffer is all about.”
