Charlie Telfer believes no-frills Dundee United can take the pragmatic approach to success after digging out a hard-earned Irn-Bru Cup win at Stair Park.
Midfielder Telfer put in a hard shift as the Championship side saw off a dogged Stranraer thanks to a moment of magic from Tony Andreu.
It was an efficient rather than enthralling display from the Tangerines and Telfer said boss Ray McKinnon has prioritised momentum.
He said: “The manager said to us at the end of the game that, although there were aspects to improve on, it’s all about getting momentum and just winning games.
“There will be times this season where we don’t play as well as we hoped or we’re up against it, but it’s all about getting wins and points.
“We were maybe a bit frustrated we didn’t achieve more in the first half but I think we were much happier in the second half.
“We could have scored a few more goals, but we were delighted to come away with a win against a tough team at a tough venue.
“I’ve played this team in the past and we knew they would be a good team and very competitive when we came down here.
“We were up against it for parts of it and they played some good football but we prepared well for it – with the lengthy journey we stayed down here overnight and I think that probably helped us.”
In an upbeat game, full of good football, it became clear there was never going to be much between the teams. As they surged back and forth in the opening half, it was only good goalkeeping at both ends which kept the scoresheet blank.
Simon Murray looked certain to fire United in front when he was sent through one-on-one with Stranraer keeper Cameron Belford.
The stopper stood up well though, and blocked a powerful shot with his legs. Ten minutes later, at the other end, Luis Zwick topped that save with an even better one – as he denied Willie Gibson at full stretch, after the Blues’ winger had sent a delightful looping shot goalward.
As half-time approached, Belford was in fine form again to save from Murray, who was proving a constant thorn in the side of the home defence.
The second half began at a frantic pace and, with both sides realising a single goal could settle the fixture, gaps began to emerge.
Stranraer’s Gibson and Kyle Turner combined well in the midfield but United gradually took control.
The winner came in the 68th minute, when Paul Dixon dashed down the left wing, delivering a sweet cross onto the head of Andreu, who picked his spot.
Telfer added: “That was a great ball in from Paul. I was behind Tony Andreu and watched him pick his spot with a fantastic header.
“That’s what Tony’s got – great feet, left and right, and good with his head too. He’s a fantastic player.”
United boss Ray McKinnon was also quick to heap praise on Andreu, saying: “He’s just such an absolute quality player and when he pops up with that one bit of quality in the game – like that header – he’s worth his weight in gold to us right now.
“We’re delighted to have him.”
United survived a late push from Stranraer, who introduced former Dundee striker Christian Nade to bolster the attack and then went for broke bringing on Frank McKeown up front.
Nade might have taken the tie into extra-time when his last-ditch volley rose inches too high but United survived to go into the last eight.
Now McKinnon is hoping this win generates a confidence his players can carry forward into a Championship campaign which has stuttered slightly.
The manager added: “Cup wins like today are vitally important. We just want to win every game and keep that momentum and winning mentality going.
“We’re trying to move the club forward – ultimately the league is the main objective – but there’s no harm at all to the buzz a wee run in the cup can bring.”
Stranraer boss Brian Reid, meanwhile, was “very pleased” with his team’s performance.
He said: “I thought we put in a great effort, showed commitment and worked our socks off. One wee moment of quality – both in the delivery from Dixon and the header from Andreu – was the difference.”
