Gary Mackay-Steven admits his family felt like Christmas had come early with a trip to Inverness compared to some of the marathons they have to endure every other week to watch the Dundee United youngster.
The Thurso-born winger’s family are used to clocking up the many miles as they head south from the northernmost town on the British mainland to see their son in SPL action.
Making the shorter-than-normal trip to the Highland capital 166 miles return in total felt like a stroll for Mackay-Steven’s biggest fans. And they had plenty to cheer about as he played a starring role in their fabulous fightback to win a five-goal thriller against 10-man Caley Thistle.
The 21-year-old knows visiting SPL grounds from the Highland outpost isn’t always easy so was thrilled to make their day with a victory.
Mackay-Steven said: “I’m from Thurso. Some of the boys at United didn’t really think there was a place further north than Inverness. I’m from a couple hours north of here so had a few of the family down watching, which was good. My mum and dad were down and a few of my relatives, so at least I’ve sent them home happy.
“It’s a home game for them and a four-hour round trip which isn’t too bad compared to some of the journeys to other grounds!”
Had things worked out differently, Mackay-Steven could easily have been turning out against the Tangerines at the weekend. The wing wizard, whose deflected strike brought them level before he set up double hero Johnny Russell for a dramatic late clincher in the 3-2 win, was on trial with Terry Butcher’s Inverness a while back as he sought to kickstart his career after leaving Liverpool.
Mackay-Steven came back to haunt the Highlanders but, rather than rub salt in their wounds, the fast-improving winger wants to focus fully on making his name with the Tannadice outfit.
He said: “It didn’t work out for when I was at Inverness before. I got an injury and never really recovered from it. It was a very frustrating time, so it’s quite pleasing for me to come back with United and get the result.
“Terry was the manager but I got the injury and with that you can’t really show up properly on trial and it didn’t really go according to plan. But now I’m looking to the future with United.
“I did my achilles. It was a niggly thing that just kept bothering me and dragged on. It was in the back of my mind when I got myself fit I knew what I could do. Thankfully it’s all worked out now though.”
United are up to seventh now in the SPL but at one stage on Saturday they were in danger of being dragged back into the relegation mire in what had the makings of a Highland horror show.
Johnny Hayes’ first-minute opener coupled with Billy McKay’s header just after the restart left the visitors shellshocked, only for an inspired display from substitute Russell to lead the fightback with his brace allied to Roman Golobart’s own goal.
Mackay-Steven is on the way up after joining the Taysiders from Airdrie United in the summer and reckons United can also hit the heights in weeks to come.
He said: “We took a while to get going and it took Johnny coming off the bench for us to get sparked into life. Stuart Armstrong did really well with the first goal and once we got that we started playing the football we know we can, got the result and we’re chuffed.
“I thought I did well. The gaffer keeps telling me about my end product, to keep running with the ball and going past players. He keeps drilling that into me and I thought today I did OK with that side of things. I just need to keep improving.”