United clear first hurdle

RAY McKINNON saluted goal hero Wato Kuate after he made up for a poor first-half performance by rocketing Dundee United into the Premiership Play-off semi-final. The Tannadice club dispatched Morton and will now face Falkirk on Tuesday and Friday of next week. Second-half goals from Simon Murray, Kuate and Blair Spittal did the damage on the night, with Kuate’s long-range effort the pick of

the bunch. Of Kuate, McKinnon said: ‘It was a spectacular goal. I didn’t think he was particularly great in the first half. ‘He had been good on Tuesday night but his performance wasn’t really up to it. ‘I had a chat with him at half-time about bucking his ideas up. It was quite a strike. So well done, Wato! ‘His celebration was something else, too, running the length of the pitch. I didn’t think he could recover that quick — but, clearly, he can do that. ‘It was some strike and the timing of it was very important.’ McKinnon has almost no time to prepare his team to face the Bairns, saying: ‘We’re back on Tuesday for another really tough game. Falkirk have done well in this league. ‘But we’re at home, we’re in form. We’re starting to score goals again, which is obviously important in the play-offs. ‘I think we’ve got some momentum. We should have won our last six or seven — and now the ones that were hitting the bar and post previously are hitting the back of the net. ‘I’m just very pleased. This was at very tricky tie against a good side, a hard-working team with a really good manager. To come through that is so pleasing.’ Morton manager Jim Duffy, whose side threw away a lead to lose the first leg 2-1, said: ‘I think the scoreline is harsh on us for the effort we put into the two games. ‘United were definitely clinical and you need that firepower to go through. They’ve got real quality in key areas. ‘They’re an outstanding team, a huge club. It will be neck and neck between them and Falkirk.’ Reflecting on a season of league and cup over-achievement, Duffy conceded: ‘What we have done is raise expectations. That’s a good thing — as long as we’re realistic.’