THE words were chosen carefully.
Chris Erskine had spoken in haste earlier in the afternoon but his patience had since been restored by a feeling of triumph, his Dundee United side having recorded a third win in four league matches.
The midfielder had played well, his movement agitating Kilmarnock, although there was still a sense that he might also have contributed a goal had Nadir Ciftci been less miserly with the ball. On one occasion the Turk shot wide after evading a defender, only to be man-marked on his way back to the halfway line as Erksine argued furiously that he had been in a better position to score.
It was an opinion echoed by others in United colours who felt neglected on Saturday, while there were supporters who seemed certain that Ciftci's given name is Ferfecksake given the cries which greeted the forward's self-centred attempts to add to his opening goal. Erskine's initial protest was vehement but he offered only a wry remark once the game was won: "Nadir is one of those players."
The heat of the moment had cooled to a feeling of warm satisfaction, three points enough for United to remain in touch with SPFL Premiership leaders Celtic and extinguish the frustration of a defeat by Motherwell in the Tannadice side's last match. The irritation caused when Ciftci rubbed his side up the wrong way will be soothed quickly too, his effrontery excused given the significance of the 22-year-old to his side. On Saturday, Kilmarnock were troubled by Ciftci's strength and his cleverness, albeit that same intelligence is vulnerable to his paramount desire to score.
"I felt he should have played it back," Erskine said of Ciftci's refusal to pass to him. "But he's an asset to us. I forgive him."
Ciftci is not without contrition and will serve a suspension this weekend in his side's William Hill Scottish Cup fourth-round tie with Motherwell. It is a fixture which fellow striker Mario Bilate is also expected to miss through injury, inviting speculation as to who will be asked to lead the line for United. Aidan Connolly replaced Ciftci on Saturday, scoring United's third goal, while Ryan Dow has also occupied the role this season.
United have also found strength in the numbers behind the leading striker, with Erskine and Stuart Armstrong, in particular, both finding prominence against Kilmarnock. "I thought Stuart was brilliant," said Erskine.
Kilmarnock will be made to look harder for a sense of accomplishment, an enterprising start to the campaign having led to a run of four straight defeats. Kilmarnock have conceded three goals in each of their last three games.
Such numbers could count against the Ayrshire side in their ambition to consolidate a place in the top half of the division this season, and may also cost them a spot in the next round of the Scottish Cup. Kilmarnock face Rangers on Sunday in a tie which will increase the pressure on the Premiership side's fragile confidence.
"It'll be really good to go to Ibrox and it's one all the lads have really been looking forward to," said Sammy Clingan, the Kilmarnock midfielder. His words were chosen carefully.
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