Hat-trick and victory bring Robson no joy

Dundee United 4 Hearts 1

DUNDEE UNITED captain Barry Robson dismissed his hat-trick and his side’s fine victory as meaningless in the wake of the tragic death of Motherwell captain Phil O’Donnell, writes Ian Roache.

This was the game Robson and his teammates didn’t want to play, coming as it did just four days after the traumatic events at Fir Park.

Quite why an Old Firm derby scheduled for the same day was cancelled yet a match involving United’s players, who were first-hand witnesses to the tragedy, went ahead really defies explanation.

Yet that was the situation as Hearts visited Tannadice yesterday—and Craig Levein and his men deserve tremendous credit for their professionalism.

In normal circumstances the hyper-bole would be flowing to describe a fixture that contained five goals—two from the penalty spot—and three red cards, all for the visitors.

Robson’s treble (on 22, 69 and 87 minutes) was complemented by a Noel Hunt header seven minutes from time, while Hearts’ counter came from their captain Christophe Berra on 37 minutes.

However, it all mattered not a jot to Robson.

“Everybody connected with Dundee United—from the chairman, to the players and the fans—sends condolences to Phil O’Donnell’s family,” were the skipper’s first words.

“No player wanted to play today. It was hard but I think the boys were professional. We got through it and got three points but that doesn’t mean much.

“I would dedicate my hat-trick to Phil but that won’t help in any way.

“It’s tragic especially as we were at the game (at Fir Park),” he added. “Even after a great win like today’s it was a really quiet dressing room.

“We disagreed with what was said but we had to go with what was decided (the SPL’s ruing to proceed).

“It was a good result and all that but we didn’t really want to be here.

“As soon as we all sat down to reflect we could see it all happening again and it’s a hard one to talk about. We all got on with it and the result was there but it didn’t really mean much.

“Usually you would be flying high after scoring a hat-trick but I don’t look like that, do I?

“It’s a totally different feeling. It’s been a hard few days and I feel so sorry for what’s happened.”

United boss Levein was in no mood to celebrate either.

“The players were very subdued before the match,” he said.

“I thought the whole card should have been cancelled on Saturday.

“The players said they would rather not play. Before they (the SPL) made the decision I said, ‘If the game has to be played will you play?’

“There were a couple of boys who, if they had said no, I would have understood.

“It’s hard to put into words but I’m certainly not as high as I have been after a match, that’s for sure.”

However, Levein was pleased with the way his players coped and said, “We got back to some of the things we had been doing prior to our poor run and were passing the ball better.

“We didn’t get involved in any of the tousy stuff that went on.

“We played the game in the correct manner.”

There was an impeccably observed minute’s applause in tribute to O’Donnell before kick-off, while both sets of players donned black armbands.

There was a starting place for only one of United’s three new signings, Danny Grainger going straight in but Danny Swanson and Eric Odhiambo had to make do with places on the bench.

After cagey opening exchanges, Willo Flood shot through a host of players to bring a fine save out of keeper Steven Banks on 15 minutes.

Robson was unlucky to be booked three minutes later after challenging Calum Elliot, then referee Alan Freeland showed inconsistency for not cautioning Grainger for an arguably worse tackle on Saulius Mikoliunas.

Freeland was struggling to keep a lid on things but he was right in the ruling that led to United’s opener.

On 22 minutes Banks caught a floated passback from Robbie Neilsen and when the ball was placed on the six-yard line for a freekick, Lee Wilkie’s layback was blasted home brilliantly by Robson.

After Andrius Velicka was booked, the visitors were gradually finding a way back into the game and when their equaliser came it was probably deserved.

With 37 minutes on the clock, Michael Stewart sent over a corner from the right and when it made its way to the back post Chistophe Berra slid the ball home.

United took charge of the second half but had to wait until after Hearts imploded on 67 minutes to take the lead.

Marius Zaliukas elbowed Lee Wilkie off the ball in the penalty box after Hearts had cleared an attack and the Lithuanian was shown a straight red card.

Then Freeland, after a long delay and discussions with assistant Craig Young, pointed to the penalty spot. Neilson had been waiting to take a throw-in following the sending-off but it was ruled the incident had occurred when the ball was in play. When the drama subsided two minutes later, Robson converted from the spot.

The United captain turned provider for Hunt after 83 minutes when his curling free-kick was headed home from close range by the unmarked Irishman.

Robson completed the rout and his own hat-trick with three minutes to go when he raced clear through on goal and was felled in the box by Lee Wallace, who received his marching orders for the professional foul then Robson drilled his second penalty of the day past Banks.

Stewart, who had completely lost his composure by then, was sent off in injury time for a verbal exchange with one of his own supporters as Hearts, who have now lost six league games in a row for the first time since season 1978-79, were reduced to eight men.

Attendance—7507.

Dundee Utd—Szamotulski, Dillon, Wilkie (Kenneth 90), Dods, Grainger, Flood (Odhiambo 89), Kerr, Gomis, Robson, D Robertson (Swanson 60), Hunt. Subs not used—McLean, Conway, Buaben, J Robertson.

Hearts—Banks, Neilson, Zaliukas, Berra, Wallace, Mikoliunas (Pospisil 81), Stewart, Palazuelos, Driver (Cesnauskis 34), Velicka, Elliot (Nade 63). Subs not used—Basso, Goncalves, Jonsson, McGowan.

Referee—Alan Freeland.

Taken from The Courier