Rakish Bingham helped dash Dundee United's dream of a quick-fire Premiership return - but now he'd love the chance to help them become top-flight stars.
New boy Bingham joined Robbie Neilson's champions-elect last week and is in line to make his debut for the Premiership-bound Tangerines in tonight's trip away to lowly Alloa.
Back in May 2017, Bingham was part of the heroic Hamilton side which narrowly saw off United 1-0 in the Premiership play-off final to preserve their top-flight status but consign the heartbroken Tayiders to another season in the second tier of Scottish Football.
Now, though, the 26-year-old attacker insists he's striving to wrap up the title in the coming weeks as he bids to win a long-term contract having joined initially on a deal until the end of the season.
Bingham said: "I'm just delighted to be here. I never scored against United but we did have back-to-back victories in the play-offs with Hamilton.
“I maybe shouldn’t have mentioned that!
“Now I just want to make sure that put it all right and get up to the Premiership this season.
“To be fair, we have a great stadium and a big support here at United.
“I must say I had a great time at Hamilton.
“They were good to me but the chapter in my career is done.
“Now it’s onto the next chapter and here I want to really push on between now and the end of the season.
“Personally, I just want to come in and help the lads as much as I can with what I can bring to the team.
“Hopefully that will be enough to get me an extended deal beyond the end of the season.”
Bingham loved his time at Hamilton and also had a stint with Falkirk, with a spell most recently at English outfit Doncaster Rovers before Neilson swooped to take him back north of the border.
The English ace, who's renowned for his blistering pace, insists he's ready to play his part in the Championship run-in as the runaway leaders look to increase their 17-point lead on nearest challengers Inverness.
Bingham said: “With the break last week, it has allowed me more time to get settled in.
“It’s done me the world of good actually.
“Here in Scotland is where I’ve spent a lot of my career and enjoyed my best moments.
“So it’s a place I’m pretty familiar with and feel comfortable.
“I see myself as somebody who wants to create and score goals, and just contribute.
“Hopefully that gets people off their seats and excited.
“Basically, I’m ready to go in when the gaffer calls upon me.
“I feel as though I’m getting even sharper in training every day.
“To be honest, I don’t mind where I play.
“I would say I’m maybe a 9-and-a-half at times. I don’t mind operating out wide or just behind the main striker.
“At the end of the day, wherever the manager decides to play me I’ll be giving it my best shot.”
Bingham has had no problem settling in on Tayside where he's joined forces with close pal Calum Butcher.
He added: “I had a few options and I was also aware of United’s interest.
“It didn’t take long for me to come up here. It was maybe less than 48 hours.
“The talks were positive. Of course, I remember playing against Dundee United in the play-offs and recall how big the crowd was inside Tannadice that night.
“I just had a good feeling about the move from a lot of people.
“I obviously know Calum Butcher who’s here already, and we have mutual friends as well.
“So overall I was excited. “
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