United Debut: v. St Mirren (H) 2-1 19/12/70..

Signed From: Stranraer £10,000 17/12/70.

Transferred to: St Mirren 1976..

Copland started his career as a striker and it was in this position that Jerry Kerr signed him from Stranraer in 1970. After 2 goals in 12 games in his first season, Copland scored 7 goals in 5 games during the month of October 1971, including a hat-trick against Airdrie at Tannadice, which boosted his goal tally to 9 for the 1971/72 season. By the end of 1972, manager Jim McLean realised Copland's potential as a centre-half and he played out the rest of his career in this position. Copland was a vital part of the defence as United reached their first ever Scottish Cup Final in 1974, eventually losing 3-0 to Celtic at Hampden. Copland remained at United until the end of the first Premier Division season in 1975/76, when Alex Ferguson took him back to his first club St Mirren.

Scottish Cup Final 1974

7 Appearances 1 Goal