Fyvie late show is a relief to Laszlo
RELIEVED Csaba Laszlo saluted skipper Fraser Fyvie for saving his skin — then pleaded with the disgruntled Dundee United support not to give up on them.
Fyvie struck in injury time to avoid what could have been a costly afternoon for Hungarian Laszlo after Michael Tidser’s 11th-minute penalty had put Jonatan Johansson’s visitors within seconds of victory in his first game in charge.
Fyvie was cruelly lost to United’s failed bid for promotion back in December and his eight-month absence following cruciateligament surgery served to coincide with a drastic downturn in their domestic fortunes.
Laszlo was staring at a potentially damaging defeat, with some angry supporters calling for his removal until Fyvie’s injury-time equaliser.
The 25-year-old midfielder kept the tide of disaffection at bay — at least in the meantime — and nobody was more happy than his own manager who hopes his timely return can inspire them for their tilt at the title this time round.
Laszlo said: ‘I understand how the supporters must have been feeling at 1-0 but they just need to stick by us. They are frustrated of course.
‘Look, we are all human and this is our third year in the Championship.
‘We are all doing our best to get back to where we feel we belong but this is never an easy thing.
‘I’m really so pleased for Fraser and know he can be such a big player for us in the weeks ahead.
‘We’re just glad to have him back because he is our captain after all.
‘We have to be careful as well not to expect too much of him as he has been out for such a long time.
‘That’s us unbeaten now in four games, so we have to try and build on this, although it is disappointing to drop two points st home.
‘We want to be winning every time at Tannadice but I didn’t think this was a bad performance.
‘I’m still proud of the way they fought back so late in the game.’
This was meant to signal the return of Ray McKinnon, the former United manager, to Tannadice.
But instead Johansson was in the dugout for the first time since replacing his predecessor, who had sparked controversy by joining Championship strugglers Falkirk recently after just three months into the job at Cappielow.
Johansson had clearly instructed his side to take the game to their opponents and their bold approach paid off after just 11 minutes.
Rachid Bouhenna, on his United debut, stupidly tugged at Gregor Buchanan from Tidser’s free-kick in full view of referee Colin Steven.
Tidser stepped up to sweep the penalty high past Matej Rakovan.
United did try to counter in 31 minutes. Callum Booth released Yannick Loemba, who crossed for Craig Curran, but he could only head past the post when he might have been better leaving it for Fraser Aird.
Curran then had two chances in quick succession. Firstly, he saw his header from Aird’s cross superbly saved by Morton keeper Ryan Scully then he thrashed a shot wide from close range before half-time.
The hosts did try to force their way back into things after the break, and the introduction of Fyvie in 75 minutes proved telling.
The 25-year-old didn’t disappoint, lashing home a volley from inside the box at the death after Morton’s defence failed to clear their lines.
‘We’re gutted to lose an injurytime goal,’ said Ton boss Johansson ‘But I’ve told the boys we will be stronger for this experience.
‘I enjoyed my first game in the dug-out but it’s more about the players, not me.
‘Hopefully, we can keep going front strength to strength.’