McMullan hopes ‘best’ is enough

Wideman waits to see if cup heroics impressed manager

Paul McMullan hopes “his best” will be enough to persuade Dundee United manager Csaba Laszlo to give him another shot.

The Tangerines’ wideman stole the show at Tannadice on Wednesday night as a home side consisting of a blend of young players and more seasoned pros like McMullan edged out St Johnstone’s colts in the Irn-Bru Cup.

He pulled his team level after they had been a couple of goals down and then slammed home a dramatic injury-time winner to secure a 3-2 victory.

McMullan featured in three Betfred Cup group matches for United but was only a late substitute for the Championship opener against Dunfermline and then failed to appear on the team sheet altogether at Queen of the South on Saturday.

The cup-tie against Saints’ youngsters was watched from the stand by Laszlo, even though reserve coach Craig Easton took the team.

Only time will tell if McMullan has done enough to persuade the Hungarian he is worth a try in the club’s next fixture at home to Partick Thistle a week on Saturday.

Asked if he hoped his double caught the gaffer’s eye, he said: “I just have to wait and see.

“I am doing the best I can.

“It was my first first-team game of the season, albeit played under the reserve coaching staff.

“We played Kelty last week (in a bounce game) and I thought did really well then, and I thought I had a good game again against St Johnstone.

“I will see where that takes me. “If it doesn’t get me anywhere then it doesn’t get me anywhere.

“All I can do is my best and if that is not good enough for some people then that’s unfortunate.”

McMullan certainly relished being the matchwinner in midweek, saying: “It was good for me and I’m sure it must have been an enjoyable finish for the United fans who came along.

“It was obviously the perfect way to win the game as they didn’t have time to try to get back at us.

“The lads were all buzzing in the dressing room after the game.

“We showed strength of character to come back from 2-0 down and it was really pleasing.

“I was set up really well by the other lads for my two goals.

“Matty (Smith) played me back in for the first one with an excellent return pass then Logan’s (Chalmers) touch for the winner was brilliant.”

Picture: SNS. Paul McMullan scored twice against St Johnstone Colts.