Vicko Sevelj, Dundee United’s Player of the Year, believes supporters are yet to witness his best form, despite a standout debut season with the club.
The Croatian defender, who navigated significant cultural adjustments on and off the pitch, insists he will improve further in the upcoming campaign, particularly with his increased familiarity with Scottish football and life in Scotland.
Sevelj was honored with the top award at the Tangerines’ end-of-season ceremony, recognizing his efforts during a successful year. He explained that the initial months were challenging due to the distinct nature of football in Scotland, even against lower league teams in the League Cup. However, he felt his performance consistently improved thereafter. “Overall I feel I have done well and next season I think I will be even better,” he stated.
Looking ahead to the new season, Sevelj anticipates a period of rest in Croatia before returning to work harder and develop as a player. He believes his year of experience in the league will significantly contribute to his improvement. While acknowledging the cultural differences and colder, windier climate compared to his home country, he affirmed, “on the pitch everything is really good and I am enjoying life here.”
European Ambitions Realized
Sevelj and his Dundee United teammates are preparing for European football, a reward for their strong first season back in the Premiership. The 24-year-old admitted that playing in continental competition was not something he expected when he initially joined the club. “In all honesty, I didn’t think Europe would be possible when I was coming here,” he conceded, explaining that he expected the team to primarily focus on staying in the league, given their recent promotion.
However, after observing the team’s strength and dedication in training early in the season, Sevelj quickly recognized their potential. Despite experiencing “ups and downs,” he noted the team’s resilience in bouncing back strongly from setbacks. Reflecting on their fourth-placed finish, he said, “Going into the Aberdeen game on the final day we had dreams and thankfully they came true.” He concluded, “I think we deserved what we have achieved and everyone is looking forward to it now.”
Sevelj’s prior experience with European football was limited to being part of the squad, notably with Hadjuk Split in a match against Galatasaray, without making an on-pitch appearance. He expressed his excitement for the opportunity to now fully experience European competition, describing it as the level every player aspires to. He hopes to contribute to a “fun adventure” for United fans in Europe.
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