Courts refuses to hit out at pitch invasion
ROSS COUNTY 1 Spittal (65) DUNDEE UNITED 2 Clark (70 pen, 89)
Tam Courts put Dundee United fans’ moronic behaviour down to their success-starved years after his side grasped a fourth-place finish.
Nicky Clark’s double overturned Blair Spittal’s second-half opener in a spirited finish from the Tayside team now looking forward to Europa Conference League action with relish.
But what Courts called “over-zealous” behaviour was slammed by Ross County’s Malky Mackay “as putting lives at risk” after two pitch invasions and frequent stoppages to remove dangerous pyrotechnics.
Courts appeared reluctant to be critical despite Kevin Mcdonald and Tony Watt being injured in invasions.
He said: “That [the pyrotechnics] seems to be the way fans want to showcase themselves in a carnival atmosphere.
“The fans pitched up in huge numbers and gave us
tremendous backing. We certainly felt that presence.
“Kevin Mcdonald slipped and someone landed on top of him. I think it was his shoulder that got hurt.”
Pressed on the behaviour, he replied: “The Dundee United fans have been so starved of success for a club of this size, and have given absolutely everything home and away this season.
“I think they can be forgiven for being a bit over-zealous.”
Courts was delighted with the end to the season and hailed progress for his club.
He stressed: “We knew a couple of weeks back that, depending on a few permutations, all roads would lead to Dingwall. It’s something we were relaxed about.”
He added: “We showed character to come from behind.”
United took over 2,200 fans to Dingwall, turning County’s north stand and side section into a high-spirited blaze of Tangerine noise.
They caused nightmares for the stewards before kick-off with a hail of beach balls, toilet rolls and flares blanketing the away penalty box and kick-off was delayed five minutes for the clearance job.
There was only pride at stake for the hosts, with their Europa Conference League hopes doused in midweek.
Mackay took the opportunity
to give first Premiership starts to young goalkeeper Ross Munro and highly-rated midfielder Adam Mackinnon.
It was tit for tat in the first half but the best move came from United four minutes from the break.
Watt rolled the ball forward to Archie Meekison and the teenager spun away from his marker, but his shot curled against the base of the post.
Dylan Levitt was guilty of a howler of a miss three minutes into the second half, firing wide in clear sight of goal.
Spittal found the composure to score. Joseph Hungbo’s fine run and cross was volleyed clear by Kieran Freeman, but only as far as the ex-united midfielder and, from 25 yards, he curled a wonderful finish into the top-right-hand side of Benjamin Siegrist’s net.
The lead was short-lived. Within five minutes, Harry Paton slid into a challenge on Ilmari Niskanen and the Finn crashed to earth.
Referee Nick Walsh pointed to the spot and Clark sent Munro the wrong way. Then came the late winner. Freeman cut the ball across after hefty pressure and Clark was perfectly placed to side foot home a simple finish.
The United fans, already guilty of causing several stoppages for smoke bombs, poured on to the pitch after the finish in more shameful scenes.