Craig wants a rapid start

Dundee United midfielder Craig Conway is determined to start the new season just as well as he finished the previous one.

And that is a pretty impressive statement in itself as he rounded up the last campaign by scoring twice in the Arabs' memorable Scottish Cup final victory over Ross County at Hampden Park.

But with the squad soon about to depart for their week-long training camp in Austria, the 25-year-old's thoughts were already turning to the challenges which lie ahead.

"Last year was great for me," he told The Courier. "Being capped by Scotland in October was kind of unexpected. But from then on I found some consistency, things really took off for me and I showed why I won that cap.

"And to finish the season off by winning the cup — with me scoring twice — was incredible," Conway continued. "'But I am mindful I didn't start the season as well or as fit as I could or should have and that's something I'm working towards improving on this time, which is why I kept myself ticking over during the summer."

Conway was also appreciative of a change in routine that will now take the squad to Austria rather than returning to Ireland for their usual pre-season preparations.

"I think we are all appreciative of going to Austria because Ireland for pre-season was getting a bit wearing," he added. "The hotel there was lovely, but two or three years in a row was enough."

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