First Team
All The Info | Rangers (A)
22nd November 2024
Derek Lilley was the Tannadice hero today as his goal two minutes from time virtually secured United's SPL survival after an amazing fightback at McDiarmid Park which began when Saints' Paul Hartley was sent off in the 48th minute.
The Tangerines were 2-0 down by half-time and missed a first-half penalty but three goals in the final twenty-five minutes, from Charlie Miller, Craig Easton and Lilley against the ten-man Saints thrilled the large and vociferous travelling support.
The ex-Morton star was quick to rate the importance of his late winner. "I could safely say this was the most important goal of my career because of what it means to Dundee United to stay in the SPL. There was so much pressure on us that getting it back to 2-2 was such an achievement. We were wondering where the winner was coming from so, when I tucked it away, it was relief I felt more than pleasure."
After the match manager Alex Smith also spoke of relief. "Relief is my first feeling and then joy as we have secured our safety today. We were poor in the first half. St. Johnstone were much better than us and looked like the team that were battling for their lives. The pressure seemed to get to some of my players who didn't relax and weren't working hard enough."
"After half-time we rattled them a wee bit and I made a few changes. The sending off of Paul Hartley gave us the opportunity to push people forward in the wide areas but the most outstanding player for us was Derek Lilley and he scored the winning goal."
Alex Smith, in characteristic sporting fashion, also took time out to mention St. Mirren's plight. "I'm not being patronising, but I feel for St. Mirren because of the relationship I have with that club," he said. "There are lot of good people there and we've not been able to shake them off. They deserve the credit for putting up such a great fight."
United' s victory means SPL football again next season at Tannadice unless the Tangerines lose at Aberdeen and St. Mirren win at Motherwell next week by a freak margin as the Paisley club's goal difference is fourteen worse than United's. It is an unexpected eventuality as today's scenes of celebration at the final whistle indicated. United have survived in the Scottish Premier League, an outcome which looked uncertain for most of the season.
For further details of events at McDiarmid Park please go to our Match reports section.
The Tangerines were 2-0 down by half-time and missed a first-half penalty but three goals in the final twenty-five minutes, from Charlie Miller, Craig Easton and Lilley against the ten-man Saints thrilled the large and vociferous travelling support.
The ex-Morton star was quick to rate the importance of his late winner. "I could safely say this was the most important goal of my career because of what it means to Dundee United to stay in the SPL. There was so much pressure on us that getting it back to 2-2 was such an achievement. We were wondering where the winner was coming from so, when I tucked it away, it was relief I felt more than pleasure."
After the match manager Alex Smith also spoke of relief. "Relief is my first feeling and then joy as we have secured our safety today. We were poor in the first half. St. Johnstone were much better than us and looked like the team that were battling for their lives. The pressure seemed to get to some of my players who didn't relax and weren't working hard enough."
"After half-time we rattled them a wee bit and I made a few changes. The sending off of Paul Hartley gave us the opportunity to push people forward in the wide areas but the most outstanding player for us was Derek Lilley and he scored the winning goal."
Alex Smith, in characteristic sporting fashion, also took time out to mention St. Mirren's plight. "I'm not being patronising, but I feel for St. Mirren because of the relationship I have with that club," he said. "There are lot of good people there and we've not been able to shake them off. They deserve the credit for putting up such a great fight."
United' s victory means SPL football again next season at Tannadice unless the Tangerines lose at Aberdeen and St. Mirren win at Motherwell next week by a freak margin as the Paisley club's goal difference is fourteen worse than United's. It is an unexpected eventuality as today's scenes of celebration at the final whistle indicated. United have survived in the Scottish Premier League, an outcome which looked uncertain for most of the season.
For further details of events at McDiarmid Park please go to our Match reports section.
