Dundee United boss Csaba Laszlo congratulated his players for showing “real character” as they came back from a goal down to beat Dunfermline 2-1 at Tannadice last night.
The dramatic victory, clinched by Sam Stanton’s 70th-minute winner, sent them through to a Premiership play-off semi-final against Championship runners-up Livingston, with the home leg on Monday and the away game on Friday.
The United manager said: “I have to praise the team because they showed real character.
“Dunfermline played well in the first half and had chances but we changed it in the second half and the players did very well.
“The whole team had spirit and they showed the character they have.
“That’s the word that is in my mind about tonight – character.
“I think once we went to 2-1 we controlled the game and the players did a very good job so I have to praise them.
“Sam Stanton scored a great goal. It was fantastic and was worth winning the match for us.”
Laszlo also commented on a bizarre injury for goalkeeper Deniz, suffered while celebrating Scott McDonald’s equaliser.
He said: “I have already had a book written about my career but if I do another one I think this will be one of the funniest things ever.
“I have never seen a goalkeeper injuring his knee during a celebration like that before.
“I wasn’t happy at the time because we wanted to get on with the game but now I can look at it and see it was funny.”
Dunfermline gaffer Allan Johnston, meanwhile, rightly claimed that his players were just a whisker away from going through.
“We are gutted,” he said.
“It is a bit harsh on the boys because of the chances we have had but we have to be more clinical.
“In the first half we were in total control but we gave them a massive lift by conceding the equaliser.”
