Dundee United manager lauds David Goodwillie's season
Last updated on .From the section Football
Dundee United manager Peter Houston believes David Goodwillie is having the best spell of his career so far.
The striker scored a last-minute winner against Rangers on Saturday to take his goals tally this term to 16.
"It's the best season we've had from him at United," Houston told BBC Scotland.
"But let's be honest about it, in the summer if someone comes in with a bid of seven figures he won't be at Tannadice anymore."
With the departure of Kenny Miller from Rangers and Connor Sammon from Kilmarnock, Goodwillie is the current top goal-scorer in the Scottish Premier League with 14 league strikes.
In January the 22-year-old was a signing target for Rangers, but at the end of March he extended his Tannadice deal by one year.
And the player was also named as the league's player of the month for March.
"I think he might have been away in the January transfer window had off-field matters not interfered," said Houston.
"He's shown loyalty to the club by signing that extra year to give the club an opportunity to try to make some money."
Goodwillie had team-mate Craig Conway in a simple scoring position on Saturday, before sealing United's win at Ibrox himself when one-on-one with Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
And Houston believes it is such goal-scoring instincts that make Goodwillie a special talent.
"What do I know about football, because I was desperate for him to roll it to Conway," joked the United boss.
"But when I saw the chance again on BBC television I saw how he gave a shimmy to send Allan the wrong way.
"That's the type of player he is. He knows how to score; he doesn't bother at all if he misses chances or penalty kicks.
"I'm delighted with him. He's the top SPL goalscorer now because he's selfish in these situations.
"As long as he keeps putting them in I'll be relaxed about it.
Meanwhile, after winning six out of their last seven games Houston is not ruling out catching Hearts in third place.
The Tayside club trail their Edinburgh rivals by 10 points with eight matches still to play.
"Not in my wildest dreams did I expect to takes 18 points since 1 March," said the United boss.
"They've still got the Old Firm to play, they've still to come to Tannadice.
"Who knows what can happen?"
