Now we’ve set spirit standard, says Mixu
JUBILANT Mixu Paatelainen hailed his fired-up players after watching them secure their first win since he took over at the Tannadice helm.
The new Dundee United gaffer had laid into his flops following their pathetic Parkhead showing just six days earlier.
But on this occasion the proud Finn had nothing but praise for their sterling efforts in notching an elusive three points, which he hopes will now kick-start their season ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup quarter-final tie away to Hibernian. He said: ‘I can’t fault anyone. It was great.
‘We got a reaction and they proved they have the fighting spirit. The standard is set now and that spirit has to be there every week.
‘It wasn’t a great footballing performance, but we’re delighted to get a win.
‘You always knew it would be a battle against Ross County because they are a good team.
‘In the weeks ahead, of course we want to improve our passing and our play. But, thankfully, today we did enough.
‘We won’t get carried away. It’s one victory but we’re delighted with the three points.’
Paatelainen singled out keeper Michal Szromnik, who was preferred to 21-year-old German Luis Zwick, for credit.
He added: ‘Michal did well. He was safe hands and dealt with tricky crosses and high balls. He was assured.
‘It wasn’t a big decision. It was easy because I wanted to see him to play.
‘I told Luis it wasn’t a reflection on him. It wasn’t because of the result last week.’
Meanwhile, despondent Ross County manager Jim McIntyre offered no excuses for his side’s poor showing which saw them drop to fifth in the table, although he felt losing skipper Andrew Davies to injury was a turning point.
McIntyre said: ‘There was plenty blood and thunder but I don’t think either side showed great quality.
‘It is frustrating to lose as I didn’t see them scoring, although I didn’t see us scoring either — the match had 0-0 written all over it.
‘To lose due to the loss of a penalty is sore but it looked a foul from where I was.
‘We finished the game strongly with attempts on goal and lots of positive play.
‘The fitness levels were good but losing our captain wasn’t ideal. He has suffered a head knock but, thankfully, he is fine.
‘Losing him when we did meant we couldn’t put on another attacking player later in the game and it was tough day for us defensively.’