The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Courts salutes ‘phenomenal’ fans and team spirit after win
Dundee United Aberdeen
Tam Courts has saluted the Dundee United fans for the “phenomenal” part they played in his side’s win over Aberdeen.
United claimed a crucial victory over the Dons after a late Ian Harkes goal. That came as both sides finished the game with 10 men.
Calum Butcher was red carded for United, with Aberdeen’s Funso Ojo, who was involved in an incident with a home fan, sent off for a second bookable offence just before half-time.
But with United players celebrating in front of jubilant fans in the Eddie Thompson stand, Courts saluted the supporters.
“When we got the corner I actually said to Liam Fox ‘if this goes in, the roof will come off ’,” said Courts.
“When the ball hit the back of the net, there was a phenomenal eruption in this brilliant stadium.
“I’m delighted for the fans to be able to go home and enjoy that win. It was an exciting game to be involved in from the side. It was every bit as hard as we expected it to be.
“I think you saw the boys’ spirit, quality, togetherness and their desire to find solutions. It is a significant three points for us.”
Courts added: “We knew coming into the game, even if we were beaten, the worst we would be is fourth position.
“I think it is testament to how far the club has come on the pitch in a short space of time with this group of players.
“But I think they are keen for more. They understand it’s an important part of the season leading up to Christmas and New Year.
“We have a lot of big fixtures coming up and this is a nice springboard going into Ross County next week.”
Goal hero Harkes also praised the role the United fans have played in his side’s start to the cinch Scottish Premiership season.
After 15 months of empty grounds, the midfielder is revelling in the Tannadice atmosphere.
“It makes such a difference,” said Harkes.
“It was a strange season last year without the fans. They give you a lift and the desire to keep going.
“Even with the disappointing result at Tynecastle, they stayed with us for the whole game. They did so as we allowed the score to get away from us.
“We were disappointed but to come here and have that response. It was a happy day for the fans. We were happy to be shooting down the hill towards our fans.
“We knew if we got the chance it would definitely blow the roof off. It was a happy day to get the goal in front of a crowd like that. I was definitely happy to get that moment in a game that had everything.
“It was a pivotal moment and I was delighted to be in the right place.
“It was a dramatic end to the game that had a dramatic start.”
While United claimed a crucial three points, the game will be remembered more for what happened off the ball.
Butcher walked for an off-the-ball incident, with Ojo dismissed after the incident involving a United fan.
There was very little in the way of football played in the opening period and chances were at a premium.
Aberdeen had the best chance of the half as Christian Ramirez screwed a low effort wide from 10 yards.
At the other end, Kieran Freeman flashed a 15-yard strike wide after being played in Peter Pawlett.
But the game exploded into life with two controversial red cards on the stroke of half-time.
Firstly, Butcher was shown an instant red card.
Ramirez bundled Ryan Edwards over and the United defender squared up to the American striker.
Then in the melee that followed, Robert Madden sent Butcher off, claiming he had hit out at Ramirez off the ball.
As if that wasn’t enough drama, it was about to be ramped up further as Ojo was given his marching orders in bizarre fashion.
The player’s momentum carried him towards the home fans and he became involved in an altercation with a supporter.
Madden determined Ojo’s actions were enough to merit a second yellow and both sides were reduced to 10 men.
Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass didn’t return to the dugout after the break for allegedly having words with Madden in the tunnel.
Back to football matters, Benjamin Siegrist kept Aberdeen at bay with a stunning point-blank block from sub Teddy Jenks on 67 minutes.
Nicky Clark then fired a stunning overhead kick over from 10 yards.
And Joe Lewis then denied Louis Appere when he turned the substitute’s low effort wide with the aid of the post.
But United netted the winner from the resultant Scott Mcmann corner as Charlie Mulgrew missed the ball and Harkes blasted home from 10 yards.
Meanwhile, fans’ favourite Jeando Fuchs could miss Saturday’s trip to Ross County after coming off injured in the win over Dons.
Fuchs pulled up and was replaced by Florent Hoti.
And with United facing County, Motherwell and Celtic in the space of a week, the Cameroon-born star faces a race to get fit.
“There’s nothing yet to report,” said Courts.
“Jeando felt a little bit of pain at the top part of his leg. He will be assessed by our medical staff but is usually a player who recovers quickly.
“He’s an important player for us and we will try to get him back as quickly as we can.”