BILLY Mckay, the on-loan Wigan Athletic striker, has said he was always intent on making Dundee United his destination despite a flurry of late rival interest in Scotland.
Mckay’s debut, after a tangle of negotiations last week which had Hibernian, Hearts and Inverness on his tail, couldn’t turn fortunes for the Tannadice side but he showed enough to suggest he will be a valuable asset.
At a ground where he had scored on his last three Highland derby visits with Caley Thistle, the Tannadice newcomer saw County prevail after a riveting 90 minutes.
“United showed their interest all summer. That, for me was a big factor in coming,” he said.
“I know a few teams made a couple of late bids but this was the one I felt it was right for me.
“They tried to make it permanent but it didn’t happen for reasons that will stay between myself and Wigan. I’m delighted the loan happened in the end and to be up here. Hopefully we can kick on and get some results.”
County had to fight and scrap for everything in the final 30 minutes after a Sean Dillon screamer turned the game.
But this performance amounted to another impressive statement from Jim McIntyre’s team, who have won three and drawn one of their first six league matches.
First-half goals from Liam Boyce and Andrew Davies proved enough for the hosts although it might have been different had Ryan Dow capitalised on Mckay’s two flashes of creativity and beaten home goalkeeper keeper Scott Fox.
The breakthrough materialised after 17 minutes following great play on the right by the excellent Jonathan Franks. A Jackson Irvine header was knocked off the line by John Rankin as pressure mounted, but Franks was quick to send the ball back across.
With several blue strips waiting in the middle, United defender Mark Durnan blatantly raised his arm to block, although United cried foul against Chris Robertson for a shove. Boyce stepped up to the spot and drove low and hard into the goalkeeper’s right hand corner for his goal of the season.
County claimed a vital second after 28 minutes. Franks had United goalkeeper Luis Zwick beaten with a low shot only for Ryan McGowan to hook off the line for a corner.
But from Franks’ delivery from the right, United’s defence were posted missing and central defender Davies struck a sweet half-volley past Zwick from 14 yards.
United’s second-half lifeline materialised from nowhere. From a Blair Spittal pass, Dillon collected and, more than 30 yards out, let rip with a rocket-shot high past Fox.
County tried to shore up and both sides put in a power of work, United pressing to change the match without success but the hosts clung on for a third victory of the campaign.
Former Middlesbrough and Hartlepool right winger Franks was involved in so much of the home side’s best play and earned rich praise from manager McIntyre, who also lauded his team.
“Jonathan’s a great crosser of the ball. It was important we added more competition in the wide areas in the summer,” McIntyre said. “We have good options, with different styles.
“He likes to make a yard and get his crosses in and that’s what strikers thrive on.”
While McIntyre had watched County scrap with backs against the wall latterly, he stressed: “I’m delighted – it was a hard-fought victory. I thought we played some excellent stuff and started the game really well.”
For Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara, it was the same old story in terms of outcome but with shards of optimism drawn from the display. He felt there had been an infringement on Durnan as County won the penalty from his hand-ball.
“The way things have gone for us of late, that kind of sums it up today,” McNamara said. “Little decisions are costing us.”
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