It’s three and easy for fired-up Tangerines
DUNDEE UNITED 3
Clark (45), Edwards (52), Freeman (74)
Tam Courts is adamant he will not have his head turned by Dundee United’s ascension to third place in the Premiership.
But he confesses there is a growing sense of something special building at Tannadice.
At one point, the Tangerines’ impressive home victory over Rangers in the second league game of the season looked as if it might be a flash in the pan.
But, thanks to three wonderful goals from Nicky Clark, Ryan Edwards and Kieran Freeman, this felt like a statement of intent.
“The longer we work together, the better an understanding that the players have got of what is expected of them from a shape and formation perspective,” said Courts.
“The boys are giving it absolutely everything for each other so it’s nice to see them getting a reward.
“I don’t really pay attention to the league table because what we are trying to do is be mindful of our own targets. So
the weekly league position is not really what we are paying attention to.
“But I think the fans are enjoying first and foremost the players giving absolutely everything, regardless of whether they are playing against teams at the top or bottom.
“Their efforts and energy levels are through the roof every game. And the fans are responding to the effort and it’s good to send them away happy.”
Hibs took the spoils the last time the sides met, with a 3-1 Premier Sports Cup victory at Tannadice last month, but there was to be no repeat of their whirlwind start in that match.
There was very little action in the final third until the 21st minute, when winger Ilmari Niskanen drilled in a shot that Matt Macey helped on its way beyond his left-hand post with a diving save.
It failed to act as a wake-up call for Hibs, who continued to struggle for rhythm and United maintained their impressive shape and perpetual harrying that Hibs were finding so problematic.
In the 32nd minute, Peter Pawlett’s run climaxed with a left-foot drive from Nicky Clark that had Macey worried but flew narrowly over the bar.
Hibs ramped up the pressure with a spell of possession just before the interval but could not
find a way round or through the well-drilled United rearguard.
And United got the reward for their efforts with the opening goal in the last minute of the half. Intricate passing at the edge of the box opened up the smallest of gaps for Clark and he rifled a stunning shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.
Hibs needed an instant reaction and manager Jack Ross changed shape at the interval, withdrawing fans’ favourite Scott Allan and replacing him with striker James Scott.
However, before they had time to find their feet, they were two behind.
A corner from the United left was only half-cleared by the home side and was shuttled back to full-back Scott Mcmann. His tempting cross was brilliantly bulleted in to the net by the determined Edwards.
And the visiting fans were in raptures with 15 minutes left as a third goal sealed a wonderful afternoon’s work for United.
The Tangerines bamboozled the home side with a slick onetouch passing move that sliced their way into the box and Freeman lived up to his name by arriving unmarked to slot in from 10 yards out.
Scotland striker Kevin Nisbet had been quiet throughout but was denied a consolation when Benjamin Siegrist brilliantly tipped his shot onto the post in the 80th minute.