CURRAN ENJOYING THE HARD WORK

Craig Curran is enjoying life as a Dundee United player - despite the tough pre-season sessions that have already left him tired and sore.

The Scouser, who joined United, amid interest from the Premiership, from Championship rivals Ross County spoke to Dundee United Media after another gruelling session in the St Andrews sunshine yesterday.

"It has been tough, and I am tired right now. Tired and sore like everyone is but that's pre-season isn't it? We would be doing something wrong if we weren't feeling it. It has been enjoyable though and good, but it has been tough."

The excellent St Andrews training base is used as a means to encourage new signings to the Club and Craig has enjoyed his first week at the training ground saying, "It has surpassed the expectations I had before I arrived. The environment is superb, and the pitches are in superb condition, especially in this weather. The gym facilities are also top-notch, and although I'd heard a lot about it before I came here, it is superb."

Feeling your way into a new dressing room can sometimes be an anxious time for a new arrival, but the bubbly, loud Liverpudlian has settled right into the United dressing room, imposing his strong character within the four walls. Fitting in was never a concern for him, but he has been pleasantly surprised by how well the squad is bonding in what has been a short time.

"Togetherness is going to be essential, and it's great to see everyone getting along and bonding so quickly. The foreign guys who have come in all speak good English; certainly better than some of the Scots and even the odd Englishmen! There is competitiveness when we are playing, and you expect that especially between players of the same position but we are all getting along and the mood is good."

United have made nine summer signings so far with more expected in the next few weeks, but it has been a busy summer throughout the Ladbrokes Championship. There has been a lot of work done at various clubs who will expect to challenge for the title, but Craig's isn't overly concerned with what other clubs are doing, stating: "I do not pay a great deal to what goes on elsewhere. You pick up the odd bit of news via the internet, but I am not sitting there trawling for news stories from other clubs. It will be about what we do this season. We are building a squad capable of winning the Championship and that is the aim. It will be a tough season, and no one here thinks otherwise, but if we work together as a team we can be successful."

BUY YOUR SEASON TICKET ONLINE NOW

Craig and his team-mates will kick-off the league campaign with a home tie versus Dunfermline on August 4 at 3 pm and you can be there for this and every other home league game this campaign by securing your season ticket before Sunday's Early Bird deadline.

Adults can purchase from £299, seniors from £175, under 18s and students from only £165, under 16s from only £85 and under 12s from only £18.

you can buy your season ticket either online, in person at the ticket centre on Tannadice Street or by calling 01382 833166 (option 1) and the ticket centre is opening extended hours this weekend. 

TICKET CENTRE HOURS THIS WEEKEND

SAT 9 am until 5 pm

SUN 10 am until 4 pm

Season tickets will remain at early bird prices until 4 pm on Sunday but supporters buying online can purchase at EB prices until midnight Sunday.