Dundee United midfielder Richie Ryan believes talk of the Tangerines as real title contenders is premature, despite helping to put rivals Dundee to the sword in Sunday’s derby.
United earned bragging rights over their neighbours and top spot in the SPL table thanks to a 3-0 win at Tannadice, with Gavin Gunning’s early header followed up by a brace from Johnny Russell before the break.
Russell and Dundee captain Stephen O’Donnell then both saw red after tangling in a second-half incident, but it did little to dampen the joy of the home fans who were able to savour the first competitive derby between the two clubs in seven years.
While the United faithful will no doubt enjoy the moment, Irishman Ryan is keeping his feet well and truly on the ground.
”Winning the title is not something we’re thinking of after two games in to the season,” he said. ”It’s nice to have two wins under our belts after the two games but we’re not looking any further than the next two games.
”Obviously it’s a good feeling to win 3-0 against your next-door neighbours but it was a bit of a battle. There wasn’t any great football being played by either team but obviously it’s the result that matters.
”We had a few words in the dressing room at half-time saying we didn’t deserve to be 3-0 up but thankfully we finished the chances that we had and we were three up.”
Ryan waded into the incident which saw Russell and O’Donnell red-carded, having dragged the Dundee skipper away from his team-mate while the pair were on the ground, but he didn’t think there was much in it.
”Their legs got tangled, there was an elbow thrown and I didn’t think it was Johnny’s elbow so I just went over to pull them apart to make sure that Johnny didn’t get in trouble,” he said.
”I didn’t think anybody was going to get sent off. Obviously Johnny is a bit disappointed because he felt he didn’t do anything wrong.”
With the likes of Russell and Gary Mackay-Steven attracting interest from other clubs, Ryan hopes United can fend off those kind of advances from elsewhere and keep the current squad together for as long as possible.
”When I came to the club I knew I was coming to a club with a high standard of players,” he said. ”You’ve got Johnny and Gaz (Mackay-Steven), Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Dow, Gav Gunning, Keith Watson all lads who are 21 or 22 years of age.
”If the club can keep everybody at the club, the future is bright for them.”
United manager Peter Houston was delighted with the victory that put his side top of the table, although he isn’t making any grandiose predictions at this stage.
”I always aim for top six and then take what we get from there,” he said. ”If I get two or three suspensions or injuries then I’ve got to bring in young kids who are untested.
”I really need another couple of players if I’m being honest but I know the club can’t afford to get me some money. We’re losing players every year and it’s getting more difficult for me to assess my squad just now.
”We have a good 15/16 players but if we can go through the season with players not getting injured or suspended I would take that right now because I would be happy. But it doesn’t work that way.
”I would like to add a couple of players but, if we can keep everybody fit, we’ll be as good as anything in the SPL.”
Houston revealed that Mackay-Steven will find out today if he needs surgery on the knee injury which kept him out of the derby.