A mix of quality and grit needed

DUNDEE United boss Ray McKinnon is looking for the same mix of quality and grit that proved a recipe for success last time out, when Dumbarton visit Tannadice tomorrow.

Ray was delighted with the level of football his men produced in the 2-0 win at St Mirren last week, particularly in the opening 45 minutes.

And when the Buddies tried to mount a second-half fightback, he was pleased with the way United dug in to win 2-0.

The win saw the Tangerines close the gap at the top of the Championship to just three points and Ray wants another victory to keep the pressure on leaders Hibs.

And if he gets the same as he got at St Mirren Park, he’ll be happy.

“I thought we played well in the first half last week and we probably should have had the game put to bed by half-time,” he said.

“After the break we didn’t control the game as well but you had to give St Mirren credit for that.

“But we grafted hard and got the result and that was important.

“I have to admit at one stage I looked at our midfield and was a bit worried.

“We had WIllo Flood who was in his first game back and flagging, Charlie Telfer who isn’t the biggest, Blair Spittal who isn’t big either and Scott Fraser, who you wouldn’t call one of the tough tacklers.

“But they all dug in and with the defence made sure we got through to the end without conceding.

“That was pleasing and it’s the attitude we’ll need against Dumbarton.”

United go in against the Sons with Flood and Tony Andreu recovered from training knocks picked up earlier this week.

B u t L ew i s To s h n ey, Stewart Murdoch and Mark Durnan are out.

Ray McKinnon is looking for more of the same from United.