Dundee United have been dealt a major blow with the news that Gary Mackay-Steven is unlikely to play again this year.
The winger broke two bones in his hand during the game against Ross County at the weekend when former Tangerines defender Mihael Kovacevic fell on top of him.
However, it was so cold in Dingwall that Mackay-Steven didn’t realise he had a problem until he was back in the dressing-room.
It is a bitter setback for the club and the player, especially as he had only just returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines following knee surgery.
United manager Peter Houston said: ”It’s another blow. Gary will be out for four weeks at best and six at worst. He can go on the bike this week and do running but any physical contact is out of the question.
”He didn’t feel it during the game because his hands were so cold. Afterwards, I was in the dressing-room and then all of a sudden I saw him with a bit of ice on his hand. He went to Ninewells Hospital on Saturday night and got it checked over.
”It’s not been a good season for him, firstly with the knee injury and now this latest thing, but he will just have to stay positive. The good thing is that his physical fitness won’t go down as he’ll be working his socks off.
”It was just one of those things with big Mihael appearing to fall on his hand. It’s broken in two places and is quite swollen.”
While the loss of one of United’s star players is a major setback, skipper Jon Daly insists there are players at the club more than capable of filling Mackay-Steven’s boots starting tonight against Motherwell at Tannadice.
United struggled earlier in the season when the 22-year-old was absent following his knee op but Daly believes there are players waiting in the wings to do a job for the team.
He said: ”We missed Gary when he was out the last time as he is an important player for us. Hopefully, he won’t be out for too long. It is unfortunate as it is a hand injury that’s going to keep him out.
”It is one of those as a footballer where it is frustrating as it’s not stopping you from running and kicking a ball but hopefully he won’t be missing for too long and we can get him back in the team.
”We struggled a bit without him last time but the gaffer has brought in the likes of Rudi Skacel and I think he is a great addition so maybe he can come in and replace him.
”It gives other boys a chance. Young Ryan Dow came in the last time and did well and we also have Michael Gardyne champing at the bit to play. So we have players more than capable of coming in and filling Gary’s boots.”
Tonight will be the first time United have played at home since the Friday evening fixture with Kilmarnock two weeks ago. That game was a thrilling 3-3 draw but Tangerines boss Peter Houston later admitted that he had been ”disappointed” with the actions of some fans after United were booed off at half-time as they headed down the tunnel two goals in arrears.
Now Daly has called on the boo boys to get right behind the team as they look to capitalise on Saturday’s victory over Ross County.
He said: ”It is very easy to start shouting and bawling at your team when you are a couple of goals down. The real fans are the ones who sing when it is 0-0, get a bit of atmosphere going and give the players a lift.
”That’s what we need and I think the fans at the weekend were very good and stuck by the lads even when we went a goal down.
”They can be an extra man for us. I think that’s what the manager was trying to point out last week against Kilmarnock, that they can make a big difference on the park.
”They can really lift the players when things aren’t going too well. They are important and hopefully they will turn out in numbers against Motherwell.”
United have had a rollercoaster season so far but despite the up and down nature of their results, they are still within touching distance of league leaders Celtic. And Daly is hoping that the win up in Dingwall could be the spark that launches them on a sustained run of positive results.
He added: ”The league is so tight this season and there are only five points between ourselves and Celtic. We have been saying for a while that we would like to put a wee run together but it just hasn’t materialised so far.
”But having won against County, if we can start a run before Christmas or the winter break, it would push us up the table and maybe get us within touching distance.
”We probably haven’t picked up as many points as we would have liked to so far but I am sure there are other teams in the league that probably feel the same way.
”But we are where we are because of the way we have played. We can’t change that but we can change the amount of points we pick up in the future. That starts in Motherwell game and trying to get a win against them.”
With the obvious exception of Mackay-Steven, United boss Houston has a full squad to choose from.
* United have announced that Gregory Vignal has left the club by mutual agreement for family reasons.
The Frenchman, who previously played for Rangers and Liverpool, was signed by Houston in September on a short-term deal until January.
However, the 31-year-old defender’s spell at the club was blighted by injury and he has now left without featuring for the first team.