Courts frustrated after team think it’s ‘job done’
Tam Courts admitted he was bitterly disappointed despite his side securing a top-six finish.
The Dundee United head coach fully expected his team to extend their advantage after establishing a twogoal lead but instead had to watch Dundee claw their way back into the game.
Courts said: “At this moment in time there is frustration to get 2-0 up, with the experience, quality and know-how we have.
“I fully expected us to add a third and fourth but for whatever reason, it wasn’t just the defensive line, the team retreated and thought it was job done.
“That always gives the opposition, especially in a derby, to get in the game.
“We saw the game change quite quickly. The pleasing thing was we regrouped after that.
“We had two of the best chances after that but I am still bitterly disappointed at this stage.”
Despite his anguish, Courts is still looking for his team to chase down a possible European place in the post-split fixtures.
He added: “When you split you’re thinking, we have to be proud and pleased and it has been a tough campaign with so many teams fighting for the same thing.
“We’ve had to endure so many injuries and challenges and it is a big moment for the football club now that we are in the top six and it is only right, now that we are holding fourth position, that we chase that down and get European football.
“We came in knowing that it was very difficult on us to miss out on the top six and that allowed us to concentrate on the game.
“We were 2-0 up and expecting to press home that advantage but it was disappointing.
“When the dust settles it is still a great achievement to make the top six and to be sitting in fourth.”
Meanwhile, Dundee boss Mark Mcghee praised skipper Charlie Adam for his contribution.
The manager said of the former Liverpool midfielder: “I wasn’t sure if Charlie’s goal hit someone on the way in because it moved so much.
“He’s capable of that. I couldn’t believe how much it moved.
“Sometimes when you hit the ball as hard as Charlie does it moves strangely and that’s maybe what happened.
“We need Charlie out there, he’s a huge influence and a presence.
“He’s a player other teams worry about and we need as many of them as we can get.
“Charlie fires people up. He plays on the edge, you need that – that’s what I want.”