{"id":678042,"date":"2026-05-18T05:51:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T05:51:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/678042\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T05:51:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T05:51:23","slug":"zac-sapsford-wins-dundee-uniteds-young-player-goal-of-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/678042\/","title":{"rendered":"Zac Sapsford wins Dundee United’s Young Player & Goal of Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin predicts \u201cbig things\u201d for the club\u2019s 23-year-old Australian striker after he scored in a final round 1-1 draw with St Mirren, capping a big week where he won the club\u2019s Young Player of the Year and Goal of the Year awards. <\/p>\n

The former Western Sydney striker provided 11 goals and four assists across 45 games in all competitions in his first season abroad, including his match winning strike against Celtic, which earned him a gong at the club\u2019s recent awards night. <\/p>\n

\u201cAmazing feeling, a great feeling to get awarded this \u2013 there were some great goals this season,\u201d he told the club\u2019s TV channel.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat feeling. That moment to win the game against Celtic was probably the best feeling I\u2019ve had in football.<\/p>\n

\u201cComing into Scottish football I always knew Celtic and Rangers were these powerhouse teams. To be able to beat them at our home ground was a great feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not all Australians acclimatise so quickly to their first adventures abroad, but Sapsford did, and hit the ground running with some early goals \u2013 including against Rangers as well as Celtic.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally pleased. I hoped it would go well. And so far, it\u2019s done really well for me and I think I\u2019ve grown as a player and person \u2013 just grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

On the club\u2019s youth policy, he explained that his decision to join a club that gives youngsters a chance has paid dividends.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was pretty much the main reason I came to a club like Dundee United because I knew an opportunity was there if I performed at training and played well on the park I\u2019d be able to cement myself in the team. That\u2019s what I\u2019ve done and I\u2019m really grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sapsford revealed that he had hit the targets he set for himself in his maiden season abroad but has lessons to take into next term \u2013 a season his coach expects will be even bigger and better. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve asked a lot of Zac\u00a0over the season because of certain situations at certain times,\u201d said Goodwin, per the The Courier. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been short of players at times, and he\u2019s played pretty much every position across the front line.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe always gives 100% and that was really good way for him to sign off, with a goal in the last game of the season. It\u2019ll give him a bit of confidence and he\u2019ll feel good about himself going into the close season.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we\u2019re expecting big things from Zac next season. Getting used to the league and the surroundings will have been a big benefit for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Your Next Read<\/p>\n

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