Late goal proves United up for fight

CHAMPIONSHIP: Murray believes Tangerines showed belief required

Simon Murray believes Dundee United have shown the bottle required to get through the play-offs.

The Tangerines looked to have blown their chance of pipping Falkirk to second spot in the Championship when they were pegged back to 2-2 by St Mirren with just four minutes to go at Tannadice last Saturday. However, they picked themselves off the floor and scored a dramatic winner through Blair Spittal in the 90th minute to stay just a point behind the Bairns with two regulation season fixtures remaining.

Whoever wins the now two-horse race to be runners-up to champions Hibs will be rewarded by skipping the quarter-final stage of the Premiership play-offs and will instead sit back and wait to face the winners of the third versus fourth two-legged tie in the semi-final.

Murray, who will be available for Saturday’s home clash with Dumbarton before being suspended for the Morton game at Cappielow, feels United have shown they have the mettle needed for what are sure to be a few fraught weeks.

The in-form frontman said: “It was good going into the dressing room at the end of the game because scoring a last-minute goal gives you a massive lift.

“We have been criticised for dropping the heads when we have lost goals this season.

“We have maybe not had that belief required to go and get the winning goal again. But as soon as St Mirren scored near the end on Saturday we dug in, lifted ourselves and got the late winner.

“Saints are the on-form team in the league at the moment so it was a great win for us, especially with Falkirk turning it around against Dunfermline.

“I think it does send out a message.

“We have spoken about, as a team, how we need to stand up for ourselves. Nobody else is going to get us promoted.

“We have a good bond as a squad and we have shown we are going to fight for each other to get promoted.”

Murray, as a result of being booked against the Buddies, will be free to face the Sons at home on Saturday before sitting out the trip to Greenock.

However, he is being philosophical about his suspension.

Murray said: “Listen, it’s not a good one to miss but I would rather sit that one out than the play-offs. We also have William Edjenguele suspended for two games but, thankfully, I am only banned for one.”

Dumbarton, of course, have dogged United this season, winning both of the matches at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium compared to the Tangerines’ sole success at Tannadice in October.

Murray added: “We have only lost once at home in all competitions (to Hibs) and I think that is an incredible record.

“I feel if we maybe just learn to tighten up away from home and then when we get teams back to Tannadice that’s when you can do the damage.

“We feel confident playing at home and you get a great feeling, with the fans right behind us.”

Meanwhile, Dutch midfielder Nick van der Velden has swapped Dundee United for Bali United.

Van der Velden, who had previously announced his retirement from football, has moved to the Indonesian island.

Boss Ray McKinnon said: “Nick was set to retire in a few weeks’ time but he got an offer from Indonesia for seven months.

“He is a fantastic professional, a great trainer and role model.

“This is a great opportunity for him and we wish him well.”

Van der Velden added: ”I want to thank the chairman and manager for allowing me to pursue this fantastic opportunity in the twilight of my career.

“Dundee United gave me the opportunity to play football in beautiful Scotland. The fans have been fantastic with me, and both they and the club will remain forever in my heart.

“United is a great club that deserves to be in the top league, and I hope the guys can achieve their goal of promotion.”