The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tangerines’ goal hero wants Ray McKinnon’s side back in top flight
Frenchman delighted with life so far at Tannadice
ST MIRREN 0 DUNDEE UNITED 2
Loan star Tony Andreu scored for the second week in a row and emphasised his commitment to help United return to the Premiership.
Andreu’s second-half strike clinched the points after Scott Fraser had opened the scoring before the break.
Victory was enough to hoist the Tangerines into the top four and Andreu wants to help them keep climbing the table.
The Frenchman, on-loan for the
season from Norwich, declared: “It was a good afternoon. We won 2-0 and I think objectively we were the better team.
“But it was tough. When we were 1-0 up they could have scored two goals but after we scored the second one we were more comfortable.
“It’s three good points, especially when you look at the other results in the league. They were good for us.
“We needed to win and to win next week against Dumbarton. I think that is crucial – to get those six points.”
Andreu went on: “We have won a few games now and I think it is important for a team to have this momentum going. I think we can beat any team.
“The team has been great. Even those who didn’t come off the bench, they are good players. Everyone is going to help the team this season and I think we have a good balance.”
United went ahead somewhat against the run of play when Fraser burst through the Saints defence before rifling the ball low into the corner of the net after 38 minutes.
The Tannadice side then had to soak up a lot of pressure as the Buddies pushed forward in search of an equaliser but Cammy Bell thwarted any advances, most notably in the 73rd minute when he parried a Lawrence Shankland volley.
United punished the Saints inability to find the net just one minute later when Simon Murray latched onto a loose ball after a mix up in the Saints defence.
His shot was blocked but Andreu latched onto the rebound to seal the points with a deft chip into the net.
United’s day was marred before the final whistle when Mark Durnan was sent off after picking up two clumsy yellow cards within three minutes.
Andreu, though, is intent on enjoying his time on Tayside and has no doubt he made the right decision in heading north for the season.
The attacking midfielder, who now has five league goals, added: “It was just a choice I made and I think it was the best choice for me.
“I’m delighted to have come here. Now I can say I made a good choice and I want to help Dundee United win promotion.
“I wanted to play, score goals and help the team. I think ‘so far, so good.’”
Manager Ray McKinnon was pleased with his side’s performance and ability to dig in and see out the match.
He said: “We knew it would be tough today – they’re off the back of two good results and Jack has come in who is a good manager and I knew they’d get a lift from that so it was a big three points for us.
“I thought we were excellent. They threw everything at us in the second half and the guys are learning that they need to dig in and get results in this league.”
McKinnon was again full of praise for Andreu after his goal and assist led the side to victory.
He said: “He’s just a bit of quality and we are delighted to have him. I say that to the boys all the time.
“His finish at the end, that’s what you get when you have quality in your team.”
Newly-appointed Saints boss Jack Ross looked for the positives after a disappointing start to his time in charge of the Paisley side.
The former Alloa boss said: “There is a lot more to be pleased about than disappointed.
“I don’t think I could have asked for any more from them from their commitment and effort to play.
“I think there are areas that we need to improve upon but we know that. I don’t think we necessarily deserved to lose the game and I think we were competitive in all aspects of the match.”