First Team
All The Info | Rangers (A)
22nd November 2024
Last night's Tayside derby game against St Johnstone at Perth appeared to be a very difficult affair on paper but, in the end, the match turned out to be a comfortable win for United. Manager Alex Smith adopted a philosophical tone. "Sometimes you have to absorb a bit of pressure at the start of games and then with your first clear-cut chance your striker scores and all of a sudden confidence flows through the team. This happened when Lilley scored the first of his excellent hat-trick proving once again that it's not the amount you create but the chances that you take that count. It is the difference between winning and losing."
Alex was more than satisfied as to how his striking partnership gelled. "One of the outstanding features was the performance from hat-trick hero Derek Lilley and Steven Thompson as a striking partnership. Both players worked extra hard and strong running and quick interchanging gave St Johnstone a very uncomfortable evening. Although it was a fine all-round performance from the team, it was great to see Charlie (Miller) back to his best, particularly in the second half and with Easton and McIntyre in fine form, United had plenty of attacking options."
With the Club focussing on two fronts, a top six SPL position and the Scottish Cup, the Manager considered both competitions. "The three points last night coupled with Saturday's win over Dundee have thrust us back onto the fringes of the top half of the table. We must strive for a level of consistency that will enable us to achieve a top six finish and even to challenge for a European place. At the moment we must concentrate on the next game which happens to be a Scottish Cup tie against Hamilton at Tannadice this coming Saturday. This will be a difficult game as Hamilton will prove difficult opponents and there is no room for complacency.
Alex was more than satisfied as to how his striking partnership gelled. "One of the outstanding features was the performance from hat-trick hero Derek Lilley and Steven Thompson as a striking partnership. Both players worked extra hard and strong running and quick interchanging gave St Johnstone a very uncomfortable evening. Although it was a fine all-round performance from the team, it was great to see Charlie (Miller) back to his best, particularly in the second half and with Easton and McIntyre in fine form, United had plenty of attacking options."
With the Club focussing on two fronts, a top six SPL position and the Scottish Cup, the Manager considered both competitions. "The three points last night coupled with Saturday's win over Dundee have thrust us back onto the fringes of the top half of the table. We must strive for a level of consistency that will enable us to achieve a top six finish and even to challenge for a European place. At the moment we must concentrate on the next game which happens to be a Scottish Cup tie against Hamilton at Tannadice this coming Saturday. This will be a difficult game as Hamilton will prove difficult opponents and there is no room for complacency.
