HAD the Dundee United players shuffled disconsolately out of Tannadice on Thursday evening, the concession of a deflected stoppage-time goal having punctured their swelling spirits, it would have been entirely understandable.
After all, little more than 12 months have passed since a similarly fortunate effort allowed Slask Wroclaw to terminate the continental ambitions of Peter Houston's side last season.
On that July evening, the United squad were woebegone but the difference this time was the defiance in their words. Granted, the Europa League tie with Dinamo Moscow has at least 90 minutes yet to play but both the public and private utterances of the players were laced with an inherent belief that they can still emerge triumphant from this contest. Indeed, as the celebrations of the detained Russian supporters continued a few yards away, the United players quietly confided both their surprise at how lackadaisical Sergei Silkin's side were and also how they were convinced they could score in the Arena Khimki on Thursday evening.
Certainly, there were one or two chastened looks on the face of the Dinamo players as they scurried back to the sanctuary of their bus, perhaps relieved to have escaped with two crucial away goals and level in a tie that they believed to be a formality. Had they disrespected United slightly? "Slightly? You think so?" asked midfielder John Rankin, with mock incredulity. "I don't think they gave us the respect we are due and I think that inspired us. They'll maybe look at it differently now because I thought we played some great stuff at times."
Some of the football Houston's side exhibited last Thursday would have been showcased in the footage from last term watched by Silkin by way of preparation but, even after a solitary competitive contest, United appear to have continued the development that yielded 11 wins in their final 15 games of the campaign. Defensively resolute despite the scoreline, diligent and cohesive in midfield and alacritous in attack.
Only one new face – goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak – is likely to start against Hibs this afternoon, and there is a determination that United can make the kind of start that has eluded them in recent years. "I think we've got a belief now that we maybe didn't have at the beginning of last season because we were a wee bit naive and didn't really know one another," conceded Rankin. "We've got the confidence now, though, and the balance in the squad to push on and finish higher than last season."
What was eye-catching about the performance against Dinamo was how composed United were in possession. With centre-backs Sean Dillon and Gavin Gunning both comfortable with the ball at their feet and a midfield always willing to receive a pass in a tight situation, Houston's side are well-equipped for continental contests but how that transfers to domestic disputes remains to be seen. So, too, does how strong an opposition Hibs will be, given that manager Pat Fenlon conceded this week that his squad are some way short of where he believes they need to be to improve on last season's efforts.
Indeed, instead of being well placed to capitalise on the opportunity afforded by the demise of Rangers, the Easter Road side were not even quoted by Rankin when asked who he views as United's main challengers for second place. "I think Motherwell will be there again, so will Hearts and I think Aberdeen will make a push for it," he said. "I don't think anyone will stand out but it's important that we make it competitive.
"Hopefully we can get off to a flyer in the league and take the game to Dinamo in Russia next Thursday. We've run for 10 days then worked hard to get our sharpness and we've got 90 competitive minutes under our belts and now is the time that we have to get it right."
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