The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Revenge is not the motive for Laszlo
Play-off hope will be the spur against Bairns
Dundee United manager Csaba Laszlo insists revenge is not at the heart of his desire to beat Falkirk.
The Bairns battered the Tangerines 6-1 at the Falkirk Stadium on January 6 in what still ranks as one of the shock results of the season in Scotland.
It was humiliating for United and their supporters, so you could maybe forgive them if they went looking for payback when Paul Hartley’s men visit Tannadice tomorrow.
However, Laszlo is looking at the bigger picture of the play-offs rather than any other motivation.
He said: “You ask about revenge but in this season we would have to think about revenge always because we have dropped points against everybody. I accept that against Falkirk it is very important to get the three points.
“It is not about revenge, though.”
“If you think about revenge it could be a war that you don’t win because maybe, in that case, you can show the wrong kind of aggression.
“On Tuesday, the motivation was different because we wanted to stop St Mirren winning the league.
“It wasn’t about gaining revenge because you had lost very badly to someone.
“So if we win 1-0 against Falkirk I will be happy about it.
“That will be enough revenge for me.”
Laszlo is keen to see his team carry on playing at the same tempo they did against the Buddies in midweek, not just against the Bairns but also Brechin, Queen of the South and Livingston in the fixtures to follow.
The United manager said: “It was not a nice game on Tuesday but it was played with heart.
“I watched it again and, to be honest, this was a deserved three points for us.
“OK, in the first half they had a shot that hit the crossbar and this was a good attacking move from St Mirren but, generally, I think we did a little bit more for the win.
“We had team spirit and we have to keep showing that in the games we have left.”
United will be without banned midfielder Sam Stanton against Falkirk, but frontman Scott McDonald has now served his suspension.
Paymaker Scott Fraser, who missed the Tangerines’ last two games because of an ankle injury, will be considered.
Laszlo confirmed: “Scott had some problem with his ankle but he trained today and will be a part of the squad, definitely.
“It is just his fitness but, slowly, he is coming back and I think he would be good for 45 minutes.”