Tangerines show ‘courage’

Dundee United old boy Jim McIntyre has praised the Tannadice club’s “courage and fight”.

McIntyre’s Ross County welcome United to the Highlands on back-to-back Saturdays – a league clash this weekend and a Scottish Cup quarter-final seven days later.

The former Dunfermline boss, who successfully guided County to safety last season, recognises the battling qualities Mixu Paatelainen’s men are currently displaying.

He said: “Generally at Dingwall our form has been very good and strong. We need to continue that against Dundee United, who, like us last year, are fighting for their lives and have shown a lot of spirit.

“I was at their game against Motherwell where it was never 3-0 in my eyes. They had a couple of great chances to score at 1-0 down and if they go in it changes the picture.

“But they bounced back against a team that is third in the league and that is the message we needed, if we needed one.

“They have plenty spirit about their side and they are doing their utmost to try and put a run together.

“If you take the result before the Motherwell one it was decent as well. They are doing what any team in that position would do – they are showing courage and fight.

“There will be hiccups along the way and hopefully there is another one this Saturday.”