Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Injuries just add to the pain for United gaffer
THE pain of his team’s “unacceptable” weekend performance has been made more acute for Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon with the news two players are now facing lengthy injury absences.
Ray branded the 3-0 loss at Falkirk as the worst display under him.
And to add to his worries on an awful day, Blair Spittal and Lewis Toshney both came off injured.
Wide man Spittal was sent to hospital with a suspected broken foot, while Toshney limped to the technical area after pulling a hamstring.
It could be some time before either are in action again.
“Blair’s already been to hospital and we’re checking Lewis to see how bad it is but they could be out for a wee bit,” said Ray.
And that news only served to darken his mood even further.
His team’s showing left him apologising to the 879 United fans who travelled to the Falkirk Stadium and making clear he won’t tolerate any repeats.
“It’s extremely disappointing and, honest to God, I felt for the fans.
“That was the most inept performance we’ve had this season and I can only apologise for that.
“We worked all week on stopping crosses and the first thing we do is allow a cross into the box with no pressure on it.
“The initial pass wide is going out of play and we keep it in with a header, but it’s the next phase of it. We don’t get out and press the ball.
“We’d been working all week on that.
“You can’t legislate for that when your players don’t do it but it happened and it cost us.
“Then the two goals after halftime were just comical.
“For the second, they were claiming offside but I don’t know if it is.
“For the third we had three people in the box trying to clear the ball and they didn’t.
“We are all in it together but that wasn’t good enough.”
The defeat means division leaders Hibs will get the chance to extend their lead at the top to nine points when they face Raith Rovers on Saturday.
A couple of hours after that game kicks off, United will be in Challenge Cup semi-final action against Queen of the South at Palmerston.
Returning to the squad for that one will be defender William Edjenguele, who missed out on Saturday because of suspension.
Tomorrow the Development team travel to face Rangers in Stirling.