Frustrating day all round

Ian Roache

DUNDEE UNITED skipper Lee Wilkie admitted his frustration at the loss of two key players at a crucial time of the season.

Just as the Tangerines’ squad had almost reached full-strength, two sendings-off at Tynecastle in the closing stages of the 1-0 defeat from Hearts has robbed them of Garry Kenneth and Danny Swanson for the home match against Rangers on Sunday.

Kenneth was given his marching orders for two bookings—fouls against Laryea Kingston and Christian Nade—but at least United have Darren Dods as a ready replacement.

Swanson got a straight red for a challenge on Eggert Jonsson—on top of an earlier booking—and he could count himself a little unlucky to be deemed to have been guilty of violent conduct, with TV pictures showing the challenge to be not as bad as first thought.

United could appeal it but, if they choose not to or it is unsuccessful, the little midfielder will fall off the suspension tightrope he has been walking on since joining from Berwick Rangers and could face four matches on the sidelines.

It is not an ideal way to approach the remaining half-dozen games of the SPL season as the Tannadice men battle to stay in the third place that will earn them a UEFA Cup spot.

“I think both players know they were probably a bit silly,” admitted Wilkie.

“I didn’t see Danny’s one but I think he went to block the ball and went in a bit high.

“Garry’s was down to the timing and I think he was walking before the card came out.

“His going off made it difficult and Danny’s red card made it impossible for us.

“Now we will miss those players and it is frustrating.

“It doesn’t only affect this game but the weeks ahead, too.

“We just got to the stage where we nearly had everybody fit, so it’s a blow for this to happen at this time of the season.”

What was also a blow was the Tangerines’ failure, yet again, to come back from going a goal down.

They were the better team for the opening stages of Saturday’s match and Kingston’s goal for Hearts on 26 minutes was against the run of play.

Indeed, United should have been a goal up by that time but, instead of bursting the net, Noel Hunt kicked the fresh air from just a few yards’ out.

They then couldn’t break through a solid home backline despite plenty of good possession.

“As soon as they scored the game went flat and they sat back and made it hard for us,” he said.

“They had all their positions set out and it was difficult to break them down.

“What we needed was to pass the ball about better, but didn’t seem to do that.

“We played in little triangles in the first half and there were some spaces opening up, but we missed that little spark.

“Had we started the second half a bit better and put their keeper under a bit more pressure, there might have been a different outcome.

“It was up to us to come out after half-time and step up a gear but we didn’t do that.”

Wilkie’s bad day at the office was compounded by referee Eddie Smith’s inability to see the wrestling holds being put on the United man by Hearts defender Marius Zaliukas.

The big man was jostled nearly every time he came up for a freekick or corner and landed on the deck more than once.

“Referees seem to think that because I am 6ft 5in I should brush them off and go for the header,” said Wilkie.

“The player marking me was not even watching the ball. It was like a game of American football but it’s been happening all season so I have to get used to it.”

United boss Craig Levein, who felt Kenneth was himself the victim of as bad a challenge as the one that earned his second caution, saw some positives in the display but was right to highlight the inability to get beyond Hearts’ rearguard.

“I thought we controlled the first half possession-wise and we had a couple of chances,” he said.

“I thought Hearts’ goal came against the run of play but I felt in the final third we did not do enough to cause them problems.”

Hearts interim manager Stevie Frail was obviously pleased with the outcome and happy to still be in with a real chance of finishing in the top six.

“We managed to hold on and get three great points,” he said.

“I was just glad to win it, we have struggled against Dundee United in the last three games.

“They are a good side with good players. They are up there on merit and we hear Falkirk drew so it gives us a chance to get into the top six if we go and beat Kilmarnock.”

Taken from The Courier