United’s spirit gives Csaba hope after cup defeat to Dons

DUNDEE United boss Csaba Laszlo was disappointed by the soft goals conceded but was able to take some consolation from his team’s Scottish Cup defeat at Aberdeen yesterday.

Defensive errors were a factor in three of the home side’s strikes as the Dons ran out 4-2 winners.

However, after being 4-1 down early in the second half the Tangerines battled hard to get back in the tie and that gave Csaba some heart.

“Especially in the first half I think we give maybe two very easy goals. We said more or less ‘please score a goal’,” said Csaba.

“This is what maybe killed us but generally in the second half I think I can be very satisfied with the game, with the spirit, with how we came back.

“But I think the key point was the second and also the third goals we give them.

“We passed the ball so easy in the middle for the second goal. Then we come back to 2-1 with what was a very nice goal from Sam Stanton.

“After it I was confident that now we can keep this result to take in the dressing-room at half-time, then in the second half push higher.

“But then, and I don’t know how so I have to see the pictures, we concede to a header when I think it was four against one for us in our box.

“I think two or three players are around the Aberdeen player and we have the keeper so we have to defend better.”

After United old boy Gary Mackay-Steven put the home side 4-1 up early in the second half it looked like the Dons could run up a cricket score.

Csaba, though, was pleased with the way his players ensured that didn’t happen and even managed to claw a goal back through Paul McMullan.

“We tried to change the game, put Paul McMullan on up front and go 4-4-2.

“Even after that we brought the wide players higher, especially Billy King.

“This was effective and Aberdeen in this moment were maybe a little confident but also surprised we were so open. With eight minutes to go we almost got a third goal and it could have been interesting, but we didn’t and now the cup is gone.”

United’s next outing is the Championship trip to Livingston on Friday week.