Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
United relief over defender’s injury
CSABA Laszlo has breathed a huge sigh of relief that his injury crisis has not worsened after defender Mark Durnan limped out of Dundee United’s New Year win over Brechin.
But the Tangerines gaffer was less than impressed with winger Paul McMullan.
He will miss Saturday’s trip to Falkirk because of an automatic ban for picking up his second red card of the season in yesterday’s 4-1 success.
Durnan suffered an ankle knock right at the end of the first half, leading to fears of a third major fitness blow in just over a week.
Fraser Fyvie and Scott Fraser picked up season-ending injuries in the previous two games against Livingston and St Mirren but the centre-half’s absence should be measured in days.
United’s medical staff are confident he will be ready to face the Bairns this weekend.
“We took him off as a precaution. His ankle was swollen at half time ,so I did not think to risk him for the second half was the right decision,” said Csaba.
“The doctor and the physiotherapist, they think he will be able to play on Saturday.”
Booked for a tackle in the first half, McMullan went off in the 57th minute when he earned a second yellow for diving.
With the score already 4-0 in United’s favour, Csaba saw that as an act of madness.
“This was a huge mistake from Paul McMullan because if you are an experienced player and you are booked already, even if you lose the ball you don’t try to dive.
“Diving at the moment is one of the most heaviest and easiest punishments.
“I have already told him this. And history repeats. He was already sent off this season — and this is not OK.”
Overall, Csaba was happy with the return to winning ways, though he did admit, despite being two up in 10 minutes, at the break he told his players to up the tempo after defeat at St Mirren on Friday.
“It was a game which, after the second goal, we get too much confidence and this can happen.
“In the dressing-room at half-time I was not loud because to be loudest is not always the right way, but to be focused is important.
“I told this to the players and they came out and were very sharp and they got two more goals.”