DUNDEE UNITED 2 Safranko (8), Pawlett (29)

MORTON 1 Mchugh (73)

Robbie Neilson saluted Dundee United new boy Peter Pawlett for running rings round Morton – then promised there’s much more to come from their new fans’ favourite.

Pawlett became an instant hit with the Tannadice faithful as he dazzled on his debut just days after signing for Neilson’s promotion hopefuls who got their title charge back on track with this deserved victory.

The 27-year-old winger, who joined from MK Dons, celebrated his first goal in a Tangerine jersey to add to Pavol Safranko’s eighth minute opener before Bob Mchugh gave Jonatan Johansson’s visitors hope with a 73rd minute strike.

But the day belonged to United, and especially Pawlett, whose breathtaking first-half showing left his manager showering praise on the ex-aberdeen and St Johnstone star before insisting he’s got much more in his locker.

Neilson said: “Peter’s a quality player.

“That’s the reason I brought him here and chased him so hard. “I worked with him down south and you know what you’re going to get from Peter.”

He added: “I think the style of football in the Championship will suit him. It’s quite open and we’ve got the players who can get it to him in the right areas. His fitness levels dropped after the break but that’s just because of his lack of game-time recently but he’ll get better with the fitter he becomes – that’s for sure.

“We could have scored five or six in the first half. We were blistering at times.

“So I expected a bit of a comedown in the second half because of the tempo we had shown up until then.

“Still, it’s a good three points and that’s the most important thing in this league.”

Cappielow boss Johansson said: “The first half was unacceptable from a few players. Some looked like they didn’t want to be on the pitch.

“Physically we couldn’t cope with United so we had some harsh words because it was unacceptable.

“It was better in the second half but we have got to learn that we can’t start like that ever again.”