Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon was left purring at his team’s victory over St Mirren on Saturday.
He admitted his only criticisms of the performance were that the points were not secured earlier and with a late moment of carelessness that led to centre-half Mark Durnan picking up a red card.
While he was delighted with the quality of play produced by his Tangerines, Ray felt more goals could have come in a period just before half-time when they took a real grip of the proceedings.
“I thought we were excellent in the first half and once Scott Fraser gave us the lead with a very well-worked goal, I thought we should have put the game to bed by half-time,” he said.
“We had a couple of chances before the break and Tony Andreu had one where I thought he was going to score because he usually does in those situations.
“He’s a quality player, though, and he showed that with his finish in the second half.
“We know we are lucky to have him and he is going a great job for us.”
There was praise, too, for Scott Fraser, whose opener was his first league goal of the campaign.
“Scott’s been excellent in the last few games and it was a great finish to a very good move. He put in a lot of good work and I thought he was outstanding.”
But the gaffer was as disappointed for centre-half Durnan as he was with him as he picked up yellow cards in the 85th and 88th minutes to get his marching orders.
“I spoke to Mark about his tackle for the second booking, having just got a card he probably didn’t have to make it.
“But he told me he’d forgotten the first booking and there’s not a lot you can say to that!
“He’ll remember it when he’s sitting in the stand this Saturday.
“I do feel for him because he’s come back into the team and been doing a very good job for us.”
As well as Durnan, United will again be without Lewis Toshney because of damaged ankle ligaments when Dumbarton visit Tannadice this weekend.
But he could be back for the visit of Falkirk a week later.
“He’s making good progress, especially when you consider how badly swollen his ankle was when he hurt it at Hibs.
“He’s telling me he’ll be ready for this week but it is going to be another couple of weeks before he has a chance.”
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