Neilson praises ‘massive result’

Tangerines battle their way to crucial win

Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson congratulated his team on mastering both Morton and the dreadful conditions at Cappielow last night.

The Tangerines battled their way to a terrific 2-1 win on a grim night in Greenock weather-wise, with the wind and rain making it hard for both sides.

Louis Appere opened the scoring for the Tangerines after just five minutes before a scrappy goal credited to John Sutton pulled the hosts level on 25 minutes.

However, comeback kid Lawrence Shankland, who last played for United in the Dundee derby at

Dens, returned for the first time in over a month to fire home the winner on 31 minutes.

That helped move the Tannadice men 10 points clear at the top of the Championship.

Neilson said: “We are delighted because we knew coming all the way down here would be tough.”

Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson congratulated his team on mastering both Morton and the dreadful conditions at Cappielow.

The Tangerines battled their way to a terrific 2-1 win on a grim night in Greenock weather-wise, with the wind and rain making it hard for both sides.

The victory – secured thanks to goals from Louis Appere and comeback star Lawrence Shankland with his 20th goal of a remarkable season – helped move the Tannadice men 10 points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship.

Neilson said: “We are delighted because we knew coming all the way down here would be tough.

“Morton had only lost once in the league here all season, to Ayr United, so we knew it was going to be a hard game… and it was.

“We beat them quite convincingly at Tannadice earlier this season but we knew it wouldn’t be like that this time.”

Neilson added: “We had to stand up to them and the conditions and battle.

“There are a few of our boys in there with bumps and bruises but we won the game and take three points back up the road.

“See your derby games and the other big ones, they take care of themselves. You have to get yourself up for these types of matches and we did that.

“It’s a massive, massive result for us because we knew this week – Alloa, Morton and then Arbroath – was going to be a challenge for us.”

Neilson, who revealed Paul Mcmullan missed the match because of a groin injury, had warm words for Shankland on his scoring return to the team.

The United boss added: “He is a very good player and took his goal very well. He might have taken it early but he took a touch to settle himself then finished it well.”

Morton’s defeat leaves David Hopkin’s side in eighth place and just two points off the bottom.