It’s a well-worn football cliche that the first goal is always an important one in a game and Dundee United’s Paul Paton admits that’s certainly the case in this afternoon’s Tayside derby with St Johnstone.
Saints have proved to be something of a bogey side for the Tangerines over the last two seasons and beat them the last time the teams met at McDiarmid in December.
Ironically, United scored first that day through Calum Butcher before being pegged back by goals from Michael O’Halloran and Chris Millar.
Now though, Paton is looking to secure bragging rights once again as United look to bounce back after last weekend’s disappointing defeat at Kilmarnock.
The midfielder said: “The second-half performance wasn’t great at Rugby Park. We let ourselves down a wee bit but we know that. We spoke about it and we aim to put it right this week. We’ve got a Tayside derby to look forward to so it’s a big game.
“Our home form is good and we’re going into the game looking to win it. We had a wee setback at Kilmarnock last week but we’ve trained well this week and done everything we can in preparation to put it right.
“We found St Johnstone difficult opponents last season and they beat us at McDiarmid Park earlier this season so we know it will be a tough game. We’ve got to match them. We beat them at Tannadice this season and I scored and I remember it well because I don’t score many!
“We really need to kick on in the league now and maintain our good home form. The key in this league is to get the first goal, that’s always crucial. If St Johnstone get the first goal then they defend well and are hard to break down so we need to make sure we strike first.”
The defeat at Kilmarnock led to criticism in some quarters that United have not been consistent enough this season something Paton strongly disagreed with.
He said: “We’re fourth in the table so it’s hard to call us inconsistent. We’re roughly where we were last season. We’re a good side.
“People will always have a go at you no matter how well you’re doing. We aren’t that far off Celtic and Aberdeen who have much bigger budgets than us.
“I think for us to be competing at that end of the table with a much lower budget speaks volumes for how well we’re doing.
“It’s an exciting time for the club, two finals in two years, and the chance to progress in the Scottish Cup as well.
“The money we’ve brought in for transfers gives the club some security which is good and things are generally positive around Tannadice. Personally, I feel as fit as I’ve been so I just want to get in the team and play as many games as possible.”
United fans are already licking their lips in anticipation of next month’s triple header against Celtic but Paton insists the players are fully focused on the games against St Johnstone, Inverness and Partick Thistle before that.
He added: “The games that are coming up against Celtic will be huge but we’ve got big matches before that.
“We’ve got three home games coming up in the league that we need to win if we’re going to push on for a European place and that’s all we’re focusing on.”