The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Magical memories of Pavol Safranko
Magnificent seven from transfer target Slovakian
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 Safrankomade 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 allimportant goal, this time against the Bairns at Tannadice.
Stanton had opened the scoring for 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.
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 contribution was pivotal in 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 CT 0 United 2. April 20 2019.
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
excellent victory in the Highlands.
Safranko got the ball rolling on 27 minutes with a terrific volley from 18 yards after being teed up by Pawlett.
McMullan put them two up four minutes into the second half and United cruised to the final whistle.
United 3 Inverness CT 0. May 17 2019.
The teams met again in the promotion play-off semi-final and it was good news for the Tangerines once more.
Already 1-0 up from the first leg, they strolled to a comfortable return win at Tannadice.
After Nicky Clark’s penalty and Osman Sow’s strike on 54 minutes, substitute Safranko combined with Stanton and sent a superb angled shot into the net with 10 minutes remaining.