Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Best yet says Ray despite sickness
DUNDEE United boss Ray McKinnon says Saturday’s 3-1 defeat of high-flying Dunfermline was the best yet.
The Tangerines had made a slow start to the league season with players getting themselves up to full fitness.
On Saturday, though, they put on a real show against the side who were the league leaders going into the game.
And, for Ray, it was as good as they’ve been since the start of the campaign.
He said: “I think it’s the best of the season.
“There was a 15-minute spell in the first half where we were our own worst enemies and gave them a wee lift but, apart from that, we were in control of the game.
“We probably could have scored a few more goals but we limited them to very little.
“I know everyone sees it differently but we were very good, very dangerous on the counter attack when we won the ball back. There were a lot of positives on Saturday.”
Fraser Fyvie’s first goal f or the club set United on their way after 35 minutes before Scott McDonald grabbed a second before the break.
Fyvie then sealed his Man-of-theMatch performance with a wonderful second in the second half.
Dunfermline got one back late on but Ray was delighted with the show put on by his team, considering a sickness bug had spread through his squad on the eve of the game.
Right-back Stewart Murdoch was ill on the morning of the match and was replaced by Willo Flood at full-back.
Mark Durnan and Jamie Robson, though, both picked up the bug on the Friday night but managed to battle through and put excellent displays.
Ray said: “The boys deserve a lot of credit. There was a sickness bug going into the game.
“Stewart Murdoch was really ill and a few players during the week had it.
“The night before the game, Mark Durnan and Jamie Robson came down with it, too, and they played which is to their credit.
“Stewart couldn’t, he was vomiting pre-match but those two did despite being poorly.
“Willo Flood stepped i n at right-back, too, so the defence was a wee bit disjointed. But it was a really good performance, I’m very happy with it.” in two