Source: Team_Talk
Goodwillie joy at Young Player gong
David Goodwillie expressed his gratitude to Dundee United manager Peter Houston before collecting the SPL Young Player of the Year award.[LNB] The 21-year-old has shone under Houston and has been a regular since the turn of the year.[LNB]The award capped a memorable 24 hours for United after they clinched a return to European football with a 3-2 victory at Motherwell.[LNB]Goodwillie has scored 12 goals this season and hailed the influence of Houston, who took over from Craig Levein in December.[LNB]"He has shown faith in me and I have really enjoyed working with him," the Scotland Under-21 international said.[LNB]"I like it because he can talk me through things in the good times and the bad times.[LNB]"He tells me to keep the head up if we are not playing well.[LNB]"And at half-time, he doesn't just shout, he will tell you what to do. You just want to play for him, 100%."[LNB]Houston's future beyond the summer has yet to be confirmed with Levein's former assistant putting off contract talks until after the Scottish Cup final against Ross County.[LNB]"We would love him to stay and I think he will, because he'll want a crack at Europe," Goodwillie said. "Everyone wants to travel the world! "I'm looking forward to it. Last year we missed out on the last day and it hurt a few of the boys so it's great to know we are going to play abroad."[LNB]Goodwillie has endured some difficult times off the park with disciplinary issues but he has come through them to make a major impact in the SPL.[LNB]He admitted he could not have foreseen his rise in the last few months and thought the prize would have gone to Rangers defender Danny Wilson.[LNB]"I couldn't have even dreamed it," he said. "I've had a dream season for what is basically my first season all in. It has been brilliant.[LNB]"It helps that we've just got such a strong squad just now, and everyone wants to play for each other.[LNB]"It's nice for people to notice your hard work and it is paying off.[LNB]"I thought Danny Wilson maybe deserved it because he has played Champions League football, but I'll take it."
