Positives are plain to notice for Foran
RICHIE FORAN, the Inverness Caley Thistle manager, drew great positives from his home managerial debut — despite the dominant hosts succumbing to a penalty kicks smash and grab act.
The Irishman’s first bow in charge at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium saw the Highlanders let a well-earned half-time lead slip within 32 seconds of the secondhalf restart as Stewart Murdoch curled in a fine reply.
Earlier, Scott Boden — on his home debut — had claimed his first goal for the club.
United went on to triumph 4-1 on penalties to take the bonus point, leaving Inverness with no room for slip-ups in their two remaining group matches away to Dunfermline and home to Arbroath.
But Foran, having seen his team produce some entertaining and attacking football, said: ‘On chances alone we controlled it.
‘Both teams had wee spells of possession but we had enough chances to win the game.
‘Going into penalties is a flip of a coin, but I’m proud of the guys that put their hand up to take one.
‘I see lots of positives. In set-pieces, crosses in the box, work rate. We’ve a bit to improve on but there’s loads of positives.’
With keeper Ryan Esson failing to recover from a groin injury, Cammy Mackay earned a first competitive start for the hosts.
The minor emergency had Owain Fon Williams jetting back two days early from extended leave after Euro 2016 action.
New United manager Ray McKinnon fielded five of his summer signings and while United settled in the opening 10 minutes, Inverness were soon dictating.
Gaining an impressive grip on play, Caley showed plenty of appetite, intent and intelligent movement and found the breakthrough in the 35th minute as Boden struck.
A long Carl Tremarco throw from the left had Gary Warren flicking the ball on with his head. Boden was perfectly-placed to nod across the line.
Mackay, in the home goal, had been without a save to make in the first half but he was picking the ball out of his net 32 seconds after the restart.
United’s rapid attack ended with Simon Murray feeding the ball across to Murdoch at the edge of the box to execute a lovely, curled first-time finish.
For a spell, the Tannadice team seemed more switched-on but the Highlanders resumed overall control, however no third goal in the match was forthcoming.
And so it went to penalties, where Cammy Bell pulled off two saves to seal the 4-1 shoot-out win for United.
McKinnon was more than satisfied with the Championship side’s efforts.
He said: ‘Inverness are a right good side, so I was happy with the performance. Hopefully, we can keep building and gelling.’