No winging it for Finn in fine form

Ilmari Niskanen trudged off the filthy Firhill pitch caked in mud after an all-action display helped Dundee United into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

Niskanen dug deep as United scrapped out a 1-0 win over Partick Thistle to book a lasteight meeting with Celtic.

The Finland international is thriving in a left wing-back role after United boss Tam Courts moved away from his favoured 4-3-3 formation to go 3-5-2 in recent matches.

Niskanen turned in, arguably, his best displays in a Dundee United jersey in the wins over Motherwell and Partick.

He’s already a firm fans’ favourite but Niskanen’s popularity will have soared with everyone after Saturday – except kitman Andy Bryan.

And the muddy maverick is keen to become a wing warrior for Dundee United.

“I enjoyed that,” Niskanen said about the win over Partick. “I was tackled early on in the game and slid across the pitch.

“The mud covered my top and shorts. That’s the fun part of football!

“Tackles like that are part of the game and I’m happy to get stuck in.”

The win over Motherwell moved United into fourth.

They followed that up with the Jags victory to move to within 90 minutes of a trip to Hampden.

“The last two wins have been very important,” added Niskanen. “I’m pleased to have played a part.

“I’ve had some difficult games recently. I have been giving the ball away too easily but I’ve cut that out.

“I’ve always been able to dribble and cause opponents problems. I’m playing a new role but I love it.

“I now have responsibility for the whole side and I love running so it’s a great role for me to take on.”

Niskanen was again the last to leave the Firhill pitch.

He posed for selfies with fans as he walked off. And he insists he’ll always find time to thank the United faithful.

“I love our supporters,” said Niskanen. “You need them at games like the Partick one where you are having to dig out a result in tough conditions.”

Rory Macleod’s Dundee United journey has only just begun as the talented teenager gears up for more first-team action this term.

Macleod became the youngest player to feature for United when he came off the bench in the 2-0 win over Motherwell last Wednesday.

At the age of just 16 and six days, striker Macleod claimed the record previously held by teammate Chris Mochrie.

He missed out on becoming the youngest player to feature in the Scottish Premiership by one day.

St Mirren’s Dylan Reid starred for the Paisley side at 16 and five days against Rangers last season.

United boss Tam Courts was delighted to make Macleod the 14th academy graduate to feature in the first team this term – and he insists there is more to come.

Macleod featured in four games in four days last week.

He made his historic debut v Motherwell before starring for Scotland’s under-17s against England and in United’s under-18s’ draw with Celtic.

Macleod then took his place on the bench for the first-team’s Scottish Cup win at Partick.

“Rory is a player I’ve got to know over the last two or three years at the academy,” said United head coach Courts.

“He’s an exciting player and the recruitment activity in January – with Louis Appere leaving and Max Biamou injured – put him closer to being involved.

“Giving him his debut wasn’t something we did as a token gesture.

“We feel his performances in training with the first team and the under-18s merit him getting on the pitch. When you see him playing with the first team, you can tell he belongs at this level.

“We couldn’t play him before he turned 16, but he got his opportunity against Motherwell and he now needs to earn it on a longterm, more consistent basis.”

Macleod joined United from Dundee-based Dryburgh Athletic, but has been involved with the Tannadice side since the age of six.

He snubbed interest from other clubs, including Rangers, to pen his first professional deal in December and Courts insists he can handle the pressure of being in the spotlight.

The manager added: “Rory wanted to play his football here. He signed a three-year contract at the end of last year. He’ll have different challenges from now until the end of the season and we’ll see how he handles them.

“I don’t think he’s had much time to thing about things since turning 16. He has been too busy training with us, the under-18s and playing for Scotland’s under-17s. It’s a hectic period, but we’ll assess his mentality after that.”

BIG NIGHT: Dundee United’s Rory Macleod prepares to make his record-breaking debut for the club during their league game against Motherwell at Tannadice last Wednesday.