COURTS PRAISES TANNADICE STARS FOR KEEPING DREAM ALIVE
TAM COURTS admitted Dundee United simply had to take all three points against Motherwell to maintain their dream of securing European football for next season.
The 40-year-old head coach said: ‘This was definitely one of the first matches that we said ‘that’s a must-win game’ to maintain fourth position and heighten the chances of us getting that Euro spot.
‘So I’m delighted today for a couple of different reasons — including a clean sheet.
‘I thought we were really controlled after we went in front and we played some lovely stuff at times.’
Veteran United defender Charlie Mulgrew was drafted into midfield for the game and Courts was full of praise for the former Scotland and Celtic star.
He said: ‘Charlie at 37 years old, I think the last time he played central midfield was probably for Scotland five or six years ago.
‘It was a bit of a calculated risk. It’s where we are at with the availability of players at the moment. Sometimes actually having fewer players makes the decision a bit easier.
‘I think he gave us real balance, a real measured performance and his experience was a part of the reason.
‘Charlie and Dylan Levitt really held the middle of the park well and controlled large parts of the game.
‘Motherwell were still dangerous on the counterattack and when they were going direct, but I was almost happy to accept those moments because it felt like we were getting back to being a football team.
‘We played some nice stuff and looked dangerous
going down the sides and over the top. I think we just recognised it was a must-win game.’
Meanwhile, Motherwell boss Graham Alexander admitted he could not have asked any more from his players.
He said: ‘I thought we deserved something from the game, without a shadow of a doubt.
‘We were unfortunate to go a goal down from nothing, but the focus and the discipline of the players was excellent.
‘We didn’t become disjointed and chase an equaliser too quickly.
‘We were controlled and in the second half we had some great chances to score.
‘We also had a couple of great chances to score before they got the opener.
‘I was delighted with the players. They took on board what we were trying to do.
‘The fine margins went against us, but I can’t ask any more from the players. I thought they were excellent.’