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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Andrew Newport

Ross Graham eyes Rangers repeat as Dundee United kid gives verdict on Tannadice penalty incidents

Rookie Tannadice hero Ross Graham reckons you have to rewind back a decade to find his last goal at any level.

But he admits he may end up wearing out his Sky box watching repeats of his strike against Rangers.

The Dundee United kid thought he’d tuned his side into a massive win just three days before his 21st birthday when he headed Tam Courts’ side in front against the champions on Sunday.

Joe Aribo’s equaliser meant the Tangerines had to settle for a point but Graham plans to enjoy some screen time once he gets a chance to sit down and watch the replay.

Graham said: “I've not seen the goal back yet but I'll have the goal on repeat for the rest of the week.

"I can't remember it to be honest!

"I saw the ball coming in from a good delivery by Dylan and luckily I got on the end of it to score.

"It's my first goal professionally. When was my last goal? Never!

"I maybe scored a goal when I was 10 or 11 but it's been a long time coming.

"It's a very special moment for me. I've been dreaming of that for most of my life.

"I had a season ticket in the George Fox upper tier and remember coming here with my dad and my brother.

"It was a special moment to see the fans get off their seats when I scored.

"My brother was here but no-one else could make it.”

Graham survived two penalty shouts as Bobby Madden waved away Gers appeals after first-half handball and then a penalty box tug on Fashion Sakala after the break.

Team-mate Charlie Mulgrew laughed off the controversy on SportScene, joking the BBC man posing the questions was making up the second incident.

And Graham insisted he was also none the wiser.

Asked about the Sakala claim, he said: "I can't remember that moment to be honest!

“It would have been harsh if they'd given a penalty for the first call.

"My hands were down by my side so I don't think it was a penalty.”

It’s been a long road to the Premiership for the United youngster following loan spells at Cove Rangers, Elgin City and Dunfermline.

His spell at East End Park earlier this season didn’t exactly got to plan and he was shipped back to Tannadice having featured just nine times for the Pars.

He said: "I went on three loan spells to get me ready for this moment.

"I wanted to come back to United sure that I was ready to play for them. I think I am ready now.

"It was a different experience for me at Dunfermline.

"It probably put me in good stead to come back here and fight for a place at Dundee United.

"The gaffer spoke to me when my loan ended at Dunfermline.

"I came back early from my loan but he told me there were going to be opportunities here for me.

"I have been given an opportunity and taken my chance.”

Graham strolled through the biggest test of his career but was grateful to have the experience of Mulgrew alongside him for the first time after the former Scotland defender’s recent lay-off.

He said: "It was always going to be a tough choice for the gaffer.

"The backline has been playing well for the last few weeks when Charlie has been out.

"But Charlie is a big player and it's good to have him back in alongside me.

"It's good to see the gaffer can trust me. That's a good feeling and I really enjoyed playing alongside Charlie for the first time.

"Charlie is really good play alongside.

"He brings a calmness to the team. You need that in games against sides like Rangers.

"I learn off Charlie every day in training and whenever I play alongside him I try to take as much out of his game as I can to put it in mine.”

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