Johnny Russell has heaped praise on team-mate Stuart Armstrong following the midfielder’s man-of-the-match masterclass against Ross County.
The Scotland Under-21 star was outstanding in Dingwall on Saturday, terrorising the Staggies defence with his powerful running and insightful passing.
He topped it all off as he pounced to nod home a goalward-bound header from skipper Jon Daly to secure a victory that helped move United up to seventh in the SPL table.
Worryingly, for the rest of the teams in the league, Russell believes that we still have not seen everything the dynamic Armstrong has to offer.
He said: ”I thought Stuart was brilliant. The work he did off the ball as well as on it he was different class.
”He rounded it all off by getting the winner. I think it was going in and Dinty (Daly) is a bit unhappy with him! But he was in the right place at the right time to put it in.
”I think there is even more to come from him. Stu is still young and he has a lot ahead of him. He is a great player and a good lad as well.
”I am sure he will get his head down, keep working hard and he will get even better.”
After recent slow starts, United were determined to be like Usain Bolt out of the blocks in Dingwall.
That desire was evident as they carved out an early chance when John Rankin played a ball to Daly who flicked it on to Russell but the striker’s snap shot was smartly saved by Staggies stopper Michael Fraser.
However, United failed to capitalise on their brisk opening and County began to edge their way into the game, looking dangerous in 13 minutes when Rocco Quinn lashed a shot from the edge of the box which Radoslaw Cierzniak saved acrobatically.
Just before the half-hour mark, the Tangerines had an even bigger scare when an Iain Vigurs effort was cleared off the line by Brian McLean who produced possibly his most assured performance since joining United in the summer.
Sam Morrow had another great opportunity for County shortly after but he lost his one-on-one duel with Cierzniak.
However, the home fans inside the Global Energy Stadium only had to wait three minutes into the second half to celebrate their side taking the lead.
Cierzniak was forced to punch the ball under pressure and Staggies skipper Richie Brittain was the grateful recipient, sending an inviting cross back into the United box with Vigurs stooping low to flash a glancing header into the back of net.
Four minutes later United should have equalised when Armstrong teed up Daly but the skipper uncharacteristically shot over when he should have at least have hit the target.
However, the vocal band of travelling supporters were celebrating in the 56th minute.
Rankin cleared from his own half into the path of the pacy Russell down the right and as Staggies keeper Fraser came rushing out, the striker deftly dinked the ball past him and into the net from the edge of the box.
United’s tails were up as and they took the lead with Armstrong the architect and finisher of the goal.
The 20-year-old raced from his own half deep into Staggies territory before passing to Russell, who in turn hit a deep cross towards Daly.
His header may or may not have been heading for the back of the net but Armstrong, who had bust a gut to arrive in the danger zone, was taking no chances and headed home to score his first goal of the season.
The midfielder came close to adding another to his tally with nine minutes remaining but his stunning 20-yard volley was well saved by Fraser.
However, United had done enough to secure a victory and hand the Staggies only their second home defeat of the season.
Russell admitted the United players were pleased to pick up all three points but lamented the fact that they had to come from behind yet again.
He said: ”We are delighted to get the victory, especially as it is never an easy place to come to, as it proved once again.
”Unfortunately, we went behind again but thankfully we managed to turn it around. So we are happy with that. I think it shows there is a lot of character in the side but we would prefer to go in front rather than have to fight back.
”We know we have goals in us but for whatever reason, we are not working as a team to stop them. We are causing some of the goals we let in ourselves. If we can eradicate that, then I think we will be flying.
”At my goal, I just wanted to keep it on target. When the goalie came out, I just concentrated on keeping it low and I would have a chance.
”I hadn’t scored for a while so it was massive for me to grab a goal but more importantly we picked up a win.
”Hopefully though I can now go on a wee run of goals. I seem to say that every time I score and then don’t hit the back of the net again. So it would be great if this was finally to prove the start of a run for me.”
United boss Houston declared himself extremely satisfied with the win and also singled out Armstrong and the travelling support for special praise.
He said: ”I am delighted with the three points but I must mention the supporters, who I thought were magnificent. They cheered the team from the start to the final whistle. I had a wee go at one or two of them last week but today the United fans were excellent.
”It was also great to see Stuart getting a goal. He was always a threat with his pace and running power. I am delighted for the young boy as the only thing missing from his game just now has been goals.”
Staggies boss Derek Adams was left harbouring a sense of injustice, believing his side didn’t deserve to lose.
He said: ”I thought we played well in the first half and stopped their danger players. Mackay-Steven didn’t kick a ball and neither did Russell.
”He scored a goal but didn’t really contribute to the game. The mistake we made at 1-0 killed us. We didn’t deserve that today.”