The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)

Magical memories of Pavol Safranko

Magnificen­t seven from transfer target Slovakian

- IAN ROACHE

Dundee United have made a move to bring Pavol Safranko back to Tannadice after his successful loan spell in season 2018-19.

The Slovakian striker scored 15 times in 40 appearance­s for the Tangerines and, to help out those fans with short memories, Ian Roache picks out seven of Safranko’s best moments.

Queen of the South 1 United 2. August 11 2018.

Safranko was signed on loan from Danish club Aalborg by then boss Csaba Laszlo on August 10 2018.

He only had to wait 24 hours to make an impact, scoring what turned out to be the winner against Queen of the South at Palmerston.

Sam Stanton had given United the lead after 15 minutes and Safranko made it two on 27 minutes.

Stephen Dobbie netted on 67 minutes for the home side but that strike from the Tangerines’ new guy proved to be the difference between the sides.

Partick Thistle 1 United 2. October 13 2018.

This was a big day for Safranko at Firhill but an even bigger one for United manager Robbie Neilson, who secured his debut win for his new club after taking over from Laszlo.

Fraser Aird had the Tangerines one up with a goal just before half-time.

They then came racing out for the second period and Safranko put them 2-0 ahead on 48 minutes.

Former Tannadice keeper Cammy

Bell, by then at the Jags, had enjoyed a fine game until then but he could only redirect a Paul McMullan shot into the Slovakian’s path.

Safranko had a headed “goal” ruled out later but he was happy with the one that did stand. Jai Quitongo got one back for the hosts on 77 minutes but the points headed east.

United 2 Falkirk 1. December 22 2018.

The striker scored yet another goal, this time against Bairns at Tannadice.

Stanton had opened the United after 22 minutes.

The Tangerines moved further ahead thanks to Safranko, who headed home a cross from Aird to double the lead.

Safranko then had to keep his cool after he was involved in an incident with Falkirk’s Paul Paton, which ended in a red card for the ex-United skipper. Aaron Muirhead grabbed a consolatio­n for the Bairns with a last-minute penalty. scoring

allimporta­nt the

for

St Mirren 1 United 2. February 9 2019.

The Tangerines were in Paisley for a Scottish Cup fifth-round tie against the Buddies and won what was a Premiershi­p v Championsh­ip battle.

They took the lead after 15 minutes, with Safranko diverting a Peter Pawlett 25-yard strike into the St Mirren net.

The striker was at the heart of a dominant United display and just missed with a cheeky chip moments later.

The visitors went 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time thanks to a terrific finish from Nicky Clark before Duckens Nazon got one back for the hosts on 77 minutes.

United 2 Ayr United 1. April 12 2019.

The Tangerines were on course to secure second spot in the Championsh­ip behind Ross County by now and

Safranko’s this win.

The Honest Men were a goal up at Tannadice thanks to Steven Bell’s header midway through the first half but the Slovakian frontman got them back in the match.

It was a beautiful volley from Safranko that levelled things up.

Paul McMullan went on to grab the winner when he pounced on a mistake from goalkeeper Ross Doohan.

Inverness 2019.

contributi­on was

CT 0 United 2.

pivotal

April

in

20

Just eight days later, the SafrankoMc­Mullan double act were at it again in Inverness against Caley Thistle.

United kept eventual champions County waiting for their title and guaranteed second spot with this

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