Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen has praised his team’s “very professional performance” as they progressed to the last 16 of the William Hill Scottish Cup.
A fabulous freekick from Blair Spittal with 11 minutes to go in their fourth round tie at the Excelsior Stadium on Saturday was enough to send them through.
Paatelainen insists there is plenty of confidence within the United dressing room, even though his side are 11 points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership.
He believes spirits will be even higher when they return to league business on Friday against Celtic at Tannadice now that they have ended a nine-match streak without a win.
Asked if he thought this result could give them a boost for the league campaign, Paatelainen said: “I hope so.
“The spirit is high.
“The spirit hasn’t been too low at any point.
“Credit to the players because they have been really good and (have been) believing.
“You can see that in our performances, with the way we pass the ball with confidence.
“It is there.
“I thought it was a very professional performance from us and the attitude was spot on.
“We always knew Airdrie would test us but I thought we handled them well.
“We didn’t score in open play but that wonderful free-kick was enough for us.”
The superb setpiece from Spittal proved to be the difference after United totally dominated the second half.
But Airdrie boss Eddie Wolecki Black claimed his players at least deserved a replay.
He said: “Disappointed doesn’t really cover it right now.
“I’m more disappointed for the players because they put so much into the game and I really didn’t think we deserved to lose.
“I thought we were worthy of a replay but it was a great free-kick that killed us.”
He also revealed teenage goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson, who produced a fine display in place of the suspended Neil Parry, was the subject of an offer before the game.
He declined to name the club who made the bid but local reports suggest it was United.
Wolecki Black said: “He’s 18 and has probably put another few thousand pounds on the bid that was made before we went into the game.
“We will see where that goes.
“We are determined to keep our best players here but if other clubs come in and make bids that suit this club, we will sit down and talk to them.”