LOUIS LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

Louis Appere hopes to seize his opportunity to put his name forward for more first-team involvement this Saturday when he comes up against Alloa in the Irn-Bru Cup second round.

The 19-year-old attacker joined United in 2016 from AM Soccer as one of Ray McKinnon's first signings and has quietly gone about his job of trying to secure a first-team place at Tannadice.

With one start and two substitute appearances at the first-team level to his name, the target for Louis moving forward is clear - break into the first team. He will use Saturday's match to attempt to catch the eye.

Speaking to Dundee United's online media channel ArabZONE, Loius said, "This is like the biggest game of our season for the reserve squad. We want to go through, and it gives us the opportunity to impress the gaffer and to break through. I am looking forward to it, and the feeling is one of excitement going into it. Hopefully, I can be in the first eleven like at the St Johnstone game in the last round and impress."

The St Johnstone match ended in a dream scenario for the Craig Easton-led reserves as they came back from two goals down to win 3-2 with a 91st-minute winner and Louis thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

"I enjoyed it and even though there were only 700 people or so it felt like a lot more. When we were coming back into it, the crowd got behind the lads, and it was great to experience the excitement and atmosphere."

The reserves do not need a reminder of how difficult a game this will be with Alloa undefeated in two matches against United's first-team this season after drawing last Saturday in the league and previously winning on penalties at Tannadice in the group stages of the Betfred Cup. This is not a colts team like St Johnstone in the last round but a team of seasoned professionals and, while Louis appreciates this, he still has his sight set on a win.

"It will be a harder challenge for sure. Last time out we knew the opposition personally having played against most of them but we will prepare properly and see how it goes. We want to win it and keep going in this competition."

Like all of his team mates who played in the St Johnstone tie, Louis will use the memory of the delight and joy at the final whistle as an incentive to push on for victory on Saturday against Alloa but there is that carrot of showing your talent to the first-team coaching staff also.

"The feeling coming off the park after the late victory was great and it was a little taste of where we all want to be, playing for the first team. It was exciting.

"My aim this season is to break into the first team, and while I am playing okay in the reserves games, I feel I want to add more goals to my game as a wide man."

There is little doubt that the appointments of Craig Easton and Scott Robertson have brought some new energy and drive to the reserve squad this season. Louis is another player who referenced the impact the coaching staff are having on their development saying, "It's a different dynamic this season with Eastie and Robbo, and they are good at working and focusing on individual one-on-one stuff, and it is gratifying."

This Saturday will take a real team effort but what is clear is that the reserve squad are enjoying the chance to shine in the Irn-Bru Cup this season and Louis will do his best to keep the run going into the next round.

The match kicks off at 3pm on Saturday and United fans can enter both the Eddie Thompson Lower and Jerry Kerr Stands.

Prices are £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.

Overseas fans can stream the action via ArabZONE's WATCH LIVE service for only £5.