Anier helps United enjoy Staggies do
WITH half- an- hour to go Mixu Paatelainen’s Tangerines were down and out in Dingwall.
But 10-man Dundee United booked a place in the Scottish Cup semi- finals after Billy McKay capped a Henry Anier- inspired fightback against Ross County.
Handed his first start of Mixu’s reign as Tangerines’ boss, the forgotten Estonian grasped his chance, notching a game-changing double either side of Mark Durnan’s second-half sending off – and the resultant Brian Graham penalty that should have settled the game in the Staggies’ favour.
Anier copped a booking after diving into the United fans to celebrate his first goal.
And after the Tangerines’ place in the last four was secured, he revealed he almost cost himself a place in the squad for Hampden by repeating the trick after his second.
He said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling to have been behind and down to 10 men and still come out as winners.
“It’s a massive boost for the rest of the season.
“To see around 2,000 fans travelling up from Dundee and singing my name was a great feeling.
“I had to stop myself at the second goal after being booked for the celebration at the first.
“I asked the referee why because it was a surprise to me and he said you can’t run into the fans. So I had to stop myself because I didn’t want a second yellow.
“After the second, the referee said: ‘ Well done, Henry. Be careful!’”
Cup progression means United still have a shot of gleaning a tangible silver lining from a season that has been played under near-relentlessly gathering clouds.
And Anier hopes to keep contributing as the Tangerines fight on two fronts. “I was delighted to get a start,” he said. “It was my first of the season after being injured for two months at Hibs.
“I’ve been working hard every day and I’ve always believed in myself.
“For every player, scoring gives you a boost and you want to go again.
“In the second half of the season our heads have been more focused.
“In this league everybody can beat everybody, but we haven’t done so well. We still have to believe.
“And we’re now back at Hampden and in the semi-finals of the biggest cup in Scotland so we’re delighted.”
Much is made of Ross County’s accommodating nature – and rightly so.
Anyone who walks through the doors at the Global Energy Stadium is assured of a Highland welcome amongst the warmest the frozen north has to offer.
For Dundee United, the hospitality is especially favourable.
Plastered over almost every available surface at the Staggies’ home is perhaps the most iconic image from their history books – a panoramic crowd shot from the 2010 Scottish Cup Final.
At the time, simply getting to Hampden made it their crowning achievement – and it’s one they still celebrate.
Unfortunately for County, that day is also iconic for United.
The Tangerines lifted the Cup that sunny day at Hampden after racking up three goals without reply.
They drew inspiration to leave themselves just 90 minutes away from another shot at glory.
Liam Boyce put County ahead in a first half they dominated, flicking home Andrew Davies’ header from Jonathan Franks’ corner.
But United emerged fired up for the second half and Anier quickly poked home after Gary Woods parried a Mark Durnan effort into his path.
Durnan’s next contribution – dragging Brian Graham down in the box after getting caught on the wrong side of the Staggies striker – could have proved fatal for the Tangerines.
Graham smashed home from the spot after Durnan saw red – and that should have been that.
But Anier’s second strike, a terrific backpost volley which was delivered thanks a to a John Rankin cross, gave United hope before Billy McKay headed the winner at the death following a terrific passage of play.