At half-time Dundee United fans hailed the heroes who were on top of the world 40 years ago this weekend.
By the time the final whistle sounded at Tannadice, the class of 2023 were sitting rock bottom. And anyone who thinks United aren’t in real danger of plummeting back to the Championship have not been watching close enough. Ross County leapt over the Jim Goodwin’s men thanks to a storming second half display where Jordan White completed his first career hat-trick.
The Staggies front man gave his side the lead after just 38 seconds – before United responded with a VAR assisted penalty kick from Jamie McGrath. But in the second period Malky Mackay's side stepped on the gas and left United wishing they could turn back the clock to 1983 when Jim McLean’s side were being crowned champions. Goodwin doesn’t have a time machine though but he knows what he does need to get out of this mess.
He said: “We have three games to go so we have to try to win every single one of them because Ross County and Kilmarnock will pick up points. We have to raise our game for Livingston and go there with belief and personal pride. That’s what’s on the line now. We have to show a bit of courage now.”
Goodwin couldn’t quite believe his side’s false start – but it was the second half slump that really stung. He said: “You can’t legislate for the start of the game, I hadn't finished shaking hands with Malky and we were 1-0 down.
“It was the worst possible start, it was really poor defending and we gave ourselves a mountain to climb from the off. The reaction was a positive one and we played some decent football.
“I felt we deserved to get back into the game. The second half was really hard for me to take in terms of the goals we conceded. It was poor defensively, far too easy at times.
“It was the basics, dropping players and not marking on the right side - something we have been good at for weeks. It’s really difficult to take because I felt we were making progress. So to defend like that and go back to losing goals like those, it is really disappointing. I thought we’d eradicated it but it has raised its ugly head again.”
Goodwin was frustrated but Ross County were good value. They were a threat up top and rock solid at the back, with the likes of Jack Baldwin immense in both boxes
The Staggies captain couldn’t have dreamed of a better start. County harassed the life out of United to win an immediate corner and second later the ball was tucked in the back of the net when White bundled in after Baldwin brilliantly nodded George Harmon’s ball back into the mix.
The home side were stunned – but the response was impressive. The VAR penalty after the cameras caught Josh Sims with his hands flapping allowed McGrath to level, but the goal was coming. Steven Fletcher was causing havoc and had gone close, along with Craig Sibbald, while the charing Loick Ayina took a nose bleed after a superb run to launch over.
Once on terms United pressure more and Rory MacLeod and Sibbald again tested Ross Laidlaw with decent digs. County came roaring out again after the break though. Mark Birighitti gave the home crowd a fright when he slipped and had to scramble to stop Victor Loturi and the keeper then made a brilliant double save to keep out Sims.
But the United no.1 was beaten just before the hour when the Staggies surged again. There was a bit of luck as sub Nohan Kenneh shanked his shot and it trundled into the path of White – who cutely clipped part Birighitti.
Goodwin’s men pushed for a way back and Laidlaw bravely raced from his line to block Fletcher’s flick. But United were punished again with 17 minutes to go after a slick County move tore open the Tannadice defence.
It was White with the finishing touch from about a yard out after Cancola played in Simon Murray to superbly spin and cut back from the byline.
United never looked like finding a way back. Not with the Staggies defending like their lives depended on it – which is what Goodwin wants to see from his men.
He said: “The players have been told it wasn’t acceptable. It’s probably best if I don't say what was said in the dressing room. We have put ourselves in a difficult position now with results elsewhere and we’re bottom fo the table again. But we have been there before and got back off it, so we have to do it again.”
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