It was a potential banana skin well avoided but it was more than that. The team seemed to have shaken off the staleness of the last few weeks and it was pleasing to see them playing with some confidence.
Our new manager did not have to spend long planning the starting eleven. Recent departures were largely responsible for the opening line-up but we looked anything but a patched up side. Sutton grabbed the chance to play in his preferred position and he was ably supported by an impressive partner. Murphy discovered early on that he had the pace and control to cause problems for the Dundee defence and he exploited his advantage well. Having played a major part in setting up Sutton’s goals, it was fitting that he got on the score sheet in the closing minutes.
Jennings can be delighted with his return. His partnership with Lasley in the middle of the park gave us control of the game and to cap it all he collected a fine goal. The game delivered a first win for Stuart McCall and we can now look forward to Tuesday’s fifth round draw.
We have two SPL games before the week is over. A return to the other end of Tannadice Street on Wednesday will be followed by a visit from Inverness on Saturday. Those from the United camp who watched the game can be fairly certain that there will be no changes in store. McCall reported with some relief that we had suffered no injuries and we must consider that lucky after the assaults on Hammell and Reynolds.
The second week of the transfer window is now underway and we’ll have to endure more false trails and speculation about movement in and out of the club. The choices faced by McCall and the board will determine our fate for the rest of the season but if we can build on the cup win there will be little room for complaint.