KILMARNOCK marked their return to the Cinch Premiership with a rousing finale as they claimed a deserved point from their meeting with Dundee United.
A powerful volley from Ash Taylor in the 91st minute of what had been an entertaining tussle cancelled out Dylan Levitt’s first-half opener, which had come firmly against the run of play.
By the time Taylor gave the home support something to shout about Ian Harkes, the Dundee United midfielder, had been sent off for a second booking, a moment in the second period which proved pivotal in turning the game.
“It would have been tough trying to pick the players up from that if they hadn’t got anything from it,” reflected Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes. “Thankfully we are not having that conversation and we can reinforce to the players that we belong here. We have got to show our teeth week in, week out and if we do that then we can pick up points in this league.
“We were playing against a team going into Europe this season who have a good manager and good players and at times that showed but I also think that Dundee United would have felt today that we gave them a tough match. I am disappointed we haven’t won but I think we just ran out of time. Had we got that equaliser five or ten minutes earlier I think it was a game we could have gone on and won.”
That view would have been reinforced by the sight of Oli Shaw steering an effort straight into the arms of Dundee United goalkeeper Mark Birighitti at the death. Before that Shaw had caused some consternation in the home stands when he had smacked a venomous effort off the underside of the crossbar which the fans behind the goal felt had crossed the line.
“I am not convinced either way,” said McInnes. “Maybe VAR would have sorted it. My first instinct was that it wasn’t over the line. Having watched it I am maybe leaning more to the view that it could have been but it is impossible for a linesman or an official to see that clearly.”
In any case, a point was the least Kilmarnock deserved for a performance that was dogged and resilient. Levitt’s opener, a fine finish that spoke of the craft and technique the young midfielder has as he collected a clever backheel from the experienced Steven Fletcher and crashed his effort high into the net from the edge of the box, had seemed sufficient to dent the early confidence that was evident in much of Kilmarnock’s first-half play.
Indeed, until the dismissal of Harkes, United seemed to have the upperhand after going ahead. It took until the numerical advantage before Kilmarnock reasserted themselves and finished the game pushing for the winner.
United manager Jack Ross inevitably rued the dismissal that altered the course of the second period.
“I’ve not seen the second one back yet so I can’t say if it was deserved,” he said.. “The first one is by the letter of the law a caution. It’s a bit of an anomaly as people would say the ball was in play when he throws it out his hands but it is a cautionable offence.
"Ian is a smart guy. He’s not done it believing he would get a caution. So it’s a learning experience. He’s really conscientious and honest in what he does. I don’t mind mistakes as long as players are authentic in what they do and I believe I have that with this group.”
United take on AZ Alkmaar in their Europa Conference League qualifier on Thursday night with Ross optimistic that Steven Fletcher’s quality will shine.
“Because of his stature people maybe look at someone having a real presence but there’s a lot more to his game. His technical quality has always been really good and his game intelligence has always been really good.”
