Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon promised that his club will ensure that red carded striker Simon Murray will play in Sunday’s decisive Premiership play-off final second leg against Hamilton Accies but there looks to be no place in his short or long term plans for another of his men following last night’s goalless first leg.
The manager made it clear that Wato Kuate, the Portuguese midfielder who scored a stunning goal to help them through their play-off quarter-final against Morton, will not represent the club again after getting involved in altercations with team-mates Mark Durnin and Sean Dillon before storming directly down the tunnel when replaced soon afterwards.
“That will be his last game. This behaviour will not be tolerated by Dundee United,” said McKinnon.
He was less harsh in his assessment of the match officials after Murray was red carded when accused of diving for the second time in the match, video replays showing that he had clearly brought down by Accies defender Scott McMann.
“It was hard to see at the time but I watched it back and it’s a clear penalty which is really disappointing because we lost our striker for a period of the game and the chance to go 1-0 up,” said McKinnon.
“I’m very disappointed with the decision of the referee and linesman but I’m sure Steven (McLean, the referee) will realise he’s made a mistake when he sees it and will rescind it.
“Sometimes you don’t get the decisions you need but we’re still bang in the tie and that’s important for us.
“We will definitely appeal the decision. Simon has been a big player for us and you could see how sharp he was and we need our strongest team for Sunday.”
Opposite number Martin Canning meanwhile does not have his troubles to seek with midfielder Darian Mackinnon already suspended while they also effectively ended last night’s match short-handed with Dougie Imrie and Massimo Donati both struggling with injuries.
He consequently believes the odds are even as they head back to New Douglas Park.
"We are not favourites or have an advantage, it will be a difficult game because there are two teams who are evenly matched,” he said.
"I don't think it matters if it's at our place or at their place. It's
still 0-0.
"We would have taken a draw before the game but we came here to win it.
"We will approach Sunday in the same way as we did tonight.”
"We have a few issues now, Darian is suspended and Massimo was struggling with his groin so we will have to assess him,” he said.
"Dougie Imrie was struggling too with his ribs so we will just have to assess them.
"We will patch them up the best we can, it has been a long hard season
and the squad is thin so we'll have to recover the best we can.”
As to the incident which went his side’s way he suggested that if his team had been lucky then their good fortune was overdue.
"I haven't seen it back yet, it was at the other side of the pitch,” he said.
"I see Scott (McMann) has gone for the ball and Murray nicks in front but I didn't see if there was any contact or not.
"I have heard people say it should have been a penalty but we have had a few against us, so if it was and it went in our favour then it's a nice change."
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