The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
TANGERINES FIND GORDON IN FINE FORM
Dundee United 0
Hearts 2
Dundee United paid the penalty for a controversial spotkick decision and a Craig Gordon masterclass as Thomas Courts tasted his first home defeat against Hearts.
United lost out after Liam Boyce converted the rebound from his missed penalty after Ryan Edwards was penalised for a foul on Gary Mackay-Steven.
Furious United players protested the award – in vain – and Hearts survived a second-half onslaught thanks to the brilliance of Scotland keeper Gordon.
And sub Armand Gnanduillet rubbed salt in United’s wounds with an injury-time second.
Dundee United handed youngster Chris Mochrie his first-ever Scottish Premiership start as the latest academy graduate.
Mochrie, 18, holds the record as the youngest-ever United player to feature for the side after a substitute appearance against Morton aged 16 and 27 days.
And after impressing during a loan spell at Montrose last term, he has been a regular in United’s first-team squads this term.
Deployed on the right side of midfield, he came out strongly in a battle with Andy Halliday and looked cool and composed every time he touched the ball.
However, it was Hearts who did most of the early pressing and they created the game’s first chance on 19 minutes.
United captain Charlie Mulgrew headed a Craig Halkett cross straight into the path of former Tannadice star John Souttar.
But Souttar couldn’t divert his effort on target and United survived that early scare.
Peter Haring then came even closer for the visitors as he flashed a header wide.
It was always only a matter of time before Hearts took the lead and the goal they deserved came on 45 minutes.
Edwards hauled down former United star MackaySteven, with referee Greg Aitken wasting no time in pointing to the spot.
Boyce stepped up to take the penalty and, with Trevor Carson making an initial save, the Northern Ireland international converted the rebound.
United tried to force their way back into the game after the break.
And Dylan Levitt latched on to a Marc McNulty cutback on 50 minutes before sending a low 20-yard strike straight into the hands of Gordon.
That was to prove Levitt’s last action as Courts shuffled the pack, bringing off the on-loan Manchester United youngster and Nicky Clark. Calum Butcher and Ian Harkes came on as the hosts packed the midfield.
Harkes almost made an impact as his 71st minute cross was met by Edwards in the box.
Only a world-class save from Gordon denied Edwards from bulleting home a header.
Gordon then made another stop to deny Harkes as the hosts piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser.
With the clock ticking down, Gordon did brilliantly to beat away a curling Mulgrew free-kick and win the game for the Edinburgh side.
And Hearts made sure of the victory as Josh Ginnelly set up Gnanduillet, who coolly rolled the ball beyond Carson from 18 yards.
After the game, Courts labelled Butcher a “dominant player” as he expressed his delight in securing the English midfielder on a new deal.
Butcher has agreed an improved contract until 2023 with an option of a further year after impressing during his second spell at the Tannadice club.
And Courts insists that United are getting former Tottenham youth star Butcher, 30, at his “prime”.
“It’s great to secure a player of Butcher’s quality,” said Courts.
“He’s in the prime years of his football career.
“He loves the club and you saw the impact he had when he came off the bench against Hearts.
“Calum has agreed an extra couple of years and it’s great to secure him in his prime years.
“He’s such a dominant player for us.
“He’s a leader within the group and still has his best years ahead of him.”
Courts does not expect to have a busy transfer deadline day tomorrow.
English League One side Lincoln City have been linked with a move for Jamie Robson, United’s goal hero in the recent 1-0 win over Scottish Premiership champions Rangers.
“There’s nothing I’m forecasting transfer-wise,” added Courts.
“There’s no one earmarked to go out which means there will be very little earmarked to come in.
“But I also know that, at this stage of the window, things can happen very quickly.”
United are also boosted by the news that keeper Benji Siegrist’s injury is not as bad as first feared.
Siegrist was expected to be set for a lengthy lay-off following a training ground injury prior to last week’s win over St Johnstone.
The Swiss keeper also missed Saturday’s defeat to Hearts, and Courts added: “We have had the scan sent over now.
“We’ll evaluate it later but are hoping it’s not as bad as first feared.”
Finnish winger Ilmari Niskanen is being ear-marked for a debut away to St Mirren on September 11, with progress being made on his work permit.