First Team
All The Info | Rangers (A)
22nd November 2024
Looking back on Sunday's clash with Rangers, Alex Smith praised the attitude and spirit displayed by his players. "As expected, the match was very competitive and played in very awkward conditions. I think we acquitted ourselves pretty well, putting Rangers under pressure right throughout the match. In the final analysis, we were unlucky to take no points as a result of a disputed penalty."
"I was particularly pleased to see our players regaining the proper attitude, demonstrating good concentration, tireless effort and full commitment after recent performances. It was very important for us to start sending again the right message to our supporters, who are justified in expecting more in terms of perseverance and spirit from their team. Our supporters came to the game on Sunday in need of a morale-booster and, whilst perhaps not getting that, we hope that our gutsy performance has given them encouragement for the future. There were some fine displays, and again, I am very pleased to see the young players progressing. Winters and McCunnie were outstanding and McCracken, who came on for Fullarton, coped very well keeping Lovenkrands in check. Moreover, it was brilliant to see Gallacher back to his best in this match, which will do his confidence a lot of good. And, it was also the first opportunity for new Scotland manager Berti Vogts to watch United versus Rangers in action and it must have been encouraging for him to see some fine performances from
Scottish-born players."
"We are now looking ahead to the Quarter-Final replay versus Ayr United at Somerset Park on Wednesday night. We know it will be a very, very difficult task as Ayr played tremendously well at Tannadice last month and have claimed three SPL scalps this season already. So, whilst appreciating their achievements, the onus is upon us to approach this tie with the proper attitude and apply ourselves in a way which will enable us to proceed to the Semi-Final versus Celtic. This is our aim and it will command complete commitment. I feel that, on Sunday, we regained our focus as a team and I am confident that we will now travel to Ayr in the right frame of mind. And I hope that, together with the support of our fans, we will get that victory and have the Semi-Final to look forward to."
"I was particularly pleased to see our players regaining the proper attitude, demonstrating good concentration, tireless effort and full commitment after recent performances. It was very important for us to start sending again the right message to our supporters, who are justified in expecting more in terms of perseverance and spirit from their team. Our supporters came to the game on Sunday in need of a morale-booster and, whilst perhaps not getting that, we hope that our gutsy performance has given them encouragement for the future. There were some fine displays, and again, I am very pleased to see the young players progressing. Winters and McCunnie were outstanding and McCracken, who came on for Fullarton, coped very well keeping Lovenkrands in check. Moreover, it was brilliant to see Gallacher back to his best in this match, which will do his confidence a lot of good. And, it was also the first opportunity for new Scotland manager Berti Vogts to watch United versus Rangers in action and it must have been encouraging for him to see some fine performances from
Scottish-born players."
"We are now looking ahead to the Quarter-Final replay versus Ayr United at Somerset Park on Wednesday night. We know it will be a very, very difficult task as Ayr played tremendously well at Tannadice last month and have claimed three SPL scalps this season already. So, whilst appreciating their achievements, the onus is upon us to approach this tie with the proper attitude and apply ourselves in a way which will enable us to proceed to the Semi-Final versus Celtic. This is our aim and it will command complete commitment. I feel that, on Sunday, we regained our focus as a team and I am confident that we will now travel to Ayr in the right frame of mind. And I hope that, together with the support of our fans, we will get that victory and have the Semi-Final to look forward to."
