Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong has backed under-fire Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara to turn around his troubled season at Tannadice. McNamara has faced a furious fan backlash in the past week amid a woeful run of results allied to the revelation that he receives a cut of transfer fees for United players sales. Since selling prize assets Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven to Celtic for £2million on transfer deadline day, United have won just once, in a Scottish Cup tie at Stranraer. Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong has backed under-fire Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara . McNamara has faced a furious fan backlash in the past week amid a woeful run of results . After 10 games without a win, the heat was turned up on McNamara on Wednesday night when United lost 3-1 at Dens Park – their first derby defeat to Dundee since November 2004. However, as McNamara comes under increasing pressure from United fans, some of whom believe his position is untenable, Armstrong yesterday backed his old boss to ride out the most testing period of his managerial career. ‘Jackie McNamara is a good guy. He was always really nice to me when I was at United - and he is capable of turning it around,’ said the 23-year-old. Celtic unveil former Dundee Utd teammates Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven following their exit . ‘Yes, United are having woes just now. They are on a bad run of form, and the injuries aren’t really helping either. But these things happen in football. I am sure Jackie McNamara and United will turn it around – it’s just a matter of time.’ Asked yesterday if this spell was the toughest test so far of his managerial career, McNamara said: ‘Not really. We went through a spell last year but it’s things I’ll learn from. I am learning so it’s been good in that sense. ‘I’ve learned different things, reasons for things and different scenarios recently. I think that will stand me in good stead.’ Mackay-Steven (right) celebrates his goal with former Dundee United teammate John Rankin . Ex-United defender Mark Wilson, who also left Tannadice in January, insists the root of the current crisis at United has been their losing streak - not the manager’s controversial bonus scheme. United face Hamilton today, who have not won in 12 matches, and Wilson believes ‘bruised figure’ McNamara can win back the fans if he can restore his team to winning ways. ‘The bonus row doesn’t sit well with the fans,’ conceded Wilson. ‘But that’s purely because the team is losing. If the team was winning it would all be brushed under the carpet. ‘Does the manager look a bruised figure right now? Yes, but you can see why! He’ s built a successful attacking team and his players are getting ripped away. Former Dundee United ace Armstrong celebrates with Mackay-Steven after scoring for Celtic . 'You don’t know whether the players had clauses, or whether it’s been a decision made at the top of the club, but if you took Armstrong and Mackay Steven out of any team it would leave a massive hole. 'Take away Andrew Robertson and Ryan Gauld, who were sold last summer, that’s four mainstays of last year’s team now gone. ‘Those are big shoes to fill, and I’m sure the likes of Aidan Connolly and Blair Spitall, if given time, will do that. Jackie has shown he can go out and buy and rear genuine stars. I believe there is still enough quality there for United to grind out results and start climbing up the league.’
Stuart Armstrong has backed Jackie McNamara to come good again . McNamara faced a furious fan backlash recently amid woeful results . Club have won once since Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven left . Was also revealed that McNamara receives cut of transfer fees .