I’m sorry I broke every Covid rule
Micky regrets goal celebration
MIckY MELLON last night apologised for breaking covid19 protocols in the euphoria of Lawrence Shankland’s wonder goal for Dundee United.
The Tannadice boss ran on to the pitch and jumped on his players as they celebrated the striker’s 53-yard leveller against St Johnstone on Tuesday evening.
Mellon admitted he got caught up in the moment before reality began to sink in and said: “I broke every Covid rule and I apologise for that.
“It is difficult because football is very instinctive. But I understand what the Government are saying, I get that. We have to get it right.
“There is a virus going about and we want to keep playing.
“I understand what has been said but it is very, very difficult.
“I’m sorry about that moment but we try our best and we will try our best. It is difficult in such an emotional game if you are all in like I certainly am. What you see is what you get and maybe afterwards there are some mistakes you regret.”
Mellon admitted trying his luck from distance is nothing new for Shankland, so much so the boss has to tell him to cool it in training.
He added: “Shankland hits them a lot in training.
“Sometimes he gets on my nerves doing it, so thank the Lord I didn’t stop him doing them!
“Although I was delighted to see it go in and come away appreciating the intricacies involved in that. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, isn’t it?
“There have been goals during my managerial career that have been very, very special but that certainly has to be right up there in terms of how close I was to it.”
United confirmed Record Sport’s story that Nicky Clark has agreed a new two-year deal. Dundee, as well as teams in the Premiership, were keen on the striker but he will remain at the club until 2023.
Mellon praised 10-goal Clark for the way he has stepped up in his first season in the top flight and said: “He is the perfect example of where Dundee United are or were. I’m speaking about Nicky in isolation here.
“I believe that if you want to be a good footballer you go to the place where the environment is right to help you achieve that.
“He is now a guy who makes an impact in the Premiership, which is something we didn’t know at the start of the season.”
Clark has been at United since 2018 and said: “I am really happy at the club and have developed as a player in my time here.”