Buddies toast Morgan spice
United left punch drunk by Lewis
Lewis Morgan was sensational as the sizzling Saints destroyed Dundee United to prove their title credentials.
The 20- year- old star scored two brilliant goals and set up Ian McShane for the third as United were knocked off the top.
And boss Jack Ross is just hoping there will be no late transfer bids for a player he knows wi l l move to a bigger stage at some point.
Saints snubbed a £250,000 offer from Burton Albion in the summer and Ross is hoping the board stays strong again if other clubs make inquiries over the next few days.
Ross sa id: “Lewi s ’ s performance was special but it didn’t surprise me – I know how good he is. He is a special player who is only going to get better.
“We understood the importance of winning, even though it’s early in the season, to give us a belief of where we can go. And the manner of the performance was a bonus.”
Morgan had served notice that his pace was a problem and United paid the penalty when they allowed him a clear run on goal after 26 minutes. No one closed the 20-year-old down and as he hit the edge of the box he drilled a low right-foot shot into the left corner.
The Buddies were worth it. They seemed sharper, better on the ball and were unlucky not to get another before half-time.
However, it only took three minutes into the second half for Morgan to score his second – and it was even better than the first.
He had worked the ball wide to Liam Smith on the right then took a return pass before curling a brilliant leftfoot shot into the left corner.
And Morgan was far from finished. With 11 minutes remaining, he raced down the right, easing away from Jamie Robson, before playing the perfect pass for McShane who drove the ball home.
United manager Ray MacKinnon, who was confronted by an angry fan at the end, said: “I’m very disappointed. I didn’t see that performance coming.
“I was disappointed with the whole team – it wasn’t just one or two.
“But I’m not going to take anything away from Saints, they worked hard and scored some good goals.”