Mikkelsen’s backing Utd for play-offs

STRIKER Thomas Mikkelsen thought he’d given Dundee United a vital lead right at the death in Tuesday’s promotion play-off first leg draw with Falkirk at Tannadice.

In the end, the big Dane was denied a dramatic goal when Bairns keeper Robbie Thomson somehow stopped his well-placed header nestling in the corner of the net.

But Mikkelsen still believes come the end of tonight’s second leg at the Falkirk Stadium, it will be the Tangerines who are celebrating and looking forward to a play-off final against either Hamilton or Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

“I was ready to celebrate the other night because I thought my header was in but it was a good save by the goalkeeper,” says the man who is on loan at United from Odense.

“It would have been nice if I had got the winner for us and I think we deserved one. It was a good cross from Tony Andreu and I got it good with the head.

“But it wasn’t to be and the goalkeeper did well. It was amazing he could save that — I didn’t think he would but he did and well done to him.”

Mikkelsen’s 90th-minute effort to bring down the curtain on the first leg was one of a string of scoring opportunities at both ends on Tuesday.

He believes United had the edge when it came to chances, and that can be the vital factor in deciding who’s progressing to the last stage after tonight’s action.

“The first leg was an exciting game and I think this second game will be exciting as well. We were in front 1-0 and 2-1, and I think we played well and made a lot of chances.

“We didn’t win on our pitch but we have a chance to win in Falkirk and that is what we are going for.”

Having lost both league visits to the Bairns over the course of the regular season, it looks a big ask for Ray McKinnon’s team, but Mikkelsen insists there is genuine confidence in the United ranks.

“We believe we can get through and