United can keep up standard, insists Fyvie

Goal hero Fraser Fyvie believes Dundee United can maintain the high standard they set as they swept in-form Dunfermline aside at East End Park, writes Ian Roache.

The pre-season Championship title favourites finally lived up to their summer billing with a dynamic and deserved 3-1 win over a Pars side that had hitherto been flying at the top of the league.

The highlight of a terrific display from the Tangerines was Fyvie’s spectacular second goal just before the hour, which added to his first counter on 35 minutes and Scott Mcdonald’s strike just before half-time.

That peach of strike capped a man-of-thematch display from the former Aberdeen, Wigan and Hibs midfielder who dictated the game from the centre of the park.

Now fully fit after a sluggish start to his Tannadice career, Fyvie has personified the recent improvement in United and he feels they will be capable of keeping the level up for the remainder of the campaign.

“That has to be the standard that we play to now,” he said.

“Hopefully, we have put down a marker because Dunfermline are a top side.

“We can’t go below that line now – it’s what the manager expects of us.

“Everyone knows this is a tough league and we want to get promoted but that’s the same for Dunfermline, St Mirren and even the likes of Falkirk.

“This win gives us that confidence that we can come up with goals.

“Also, after they nicked a goal back, I thought that we were solid, which was good to see.”

Fyvie was very good against Morton the previous Saturday and even better this time. He looks like the player everyone at United hoped to see so it augurs well for him and United.

He said: “I never had a preseason so it is not until the last few weeks that I’ve got going, if I am being honest.

“I have obviously tried my best but I just haven’t had that level of fitness.

“The manager has stuck by me, though, and hopefully I’m now putting in the performances.”

As for his goals, he revealed that it was his first brace in a single game since he was at primary school.

He said: “I’ve never scored a double in professional football before.

“Hang on, maybe I did in a kids’ tournament when I was about 10!

“At my second one, I wanted to hit the free-kick that led up to it but Keatsy (James Keatings) took it and hit the wall.

“I managed to get the second ball and hit it on the half-volley and thankfully it went in.”