St Johnstone 1 Dundee United 5: Saints errors help Tangerines to big win

Paul Dixon isn't likely to get a hat-trick in his career, so setting up three in one game is probably as good as it will get for the Dundee United defender.

Johnny Russell celebrates after getting on the end of a Paul Dixon cross to send a looping header into the Saints net.

By Eric Nicolson
Published in the Courier : 13.02.12
Published online : 13.02.12 @ 10.42am

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One of the goals he created in the 5-1 rout of St Johnstone on Saturday was a Steven Anderson own goal, but the other two came from headers by strikers Jon Daly and Johnny Russell.

As far as the modest full-back is concerned, having two of the most threatening aerial targets in Scottish football to aim at makes his job of delivering the ball into the danger area a straightforward one.

He explained: ''That's the first time I can remember that I've had a hat-trick of assists. The main thing is the team getting the win but I know if I put the ball into the box the likes of Johnny and Jon will be there.

''It's a great feeling to set up goals and the crosses coming to an end product. Those pair are up there with the best headers of a ball in the country. Both of them finished their chances really well.

''Johnny did brilliantly to loop a header over the keeper and Jon's one was just trademark Jon Daly. Having guys like that makes my job easier. We are on the same wavelength.''

Russell may not have been a like-for-like replacement of David Goodwillie when he departed for Blackburn Rovers in the summer, but Dixon believes the Celtic target is every bit as exciting a prospect.

''Johnny is a fantastic player,'' he said. ''When Goodie left the onus was on him to come in and fill his boots. He has more than done that.

"Goodie did really well to get himself a move to the Premiership and, fingers crossed, Johnny will be able to do the same in future. If he carries on the way he's going then I'm sure he will.''

The other man grabbing the limelight for United at the moment is left winger Gary Mackay-Steven, who put in the latest in a long line of outstanding performances in Perth. He showcased a new trick on the byeline in the second half and Dixon revealed his fancy footwork has already been christened by the former Liverpool and Ross County youngster.

He reported: ''Gaz was in the dressing-room talking about his Gary Getaway! That's his wee move he does to break free and he keeps going on about it.

''He's a real threat and has been a great signing for us. He loves to attack full-backs and must be a nightmare to play against.''

After this resounding victory, which leaves United in sixth place in the SPL and five points behind Saints in fifth, the Tangerines are beginning to look like an ominous presence for the rest of the Europa League hopefuls.

According to Dixon, they're aiming high.

He said: ''Getting third is possible if we can put a run of games together. If we do that and results go for us elsewhere then it can happen. We seem to have the knack of peaking at the right time and hopefully we're doing it again this season.

''We needed to come here and get three points after beating Rangers so we're glad we've done that. It wasn't the greatest of games. At half-time we were 1-0 up but nobody was happy because we hadn't played well.

''You could blame the pitch but we didn't get the ball down well and play. In the second half we just took our chances — that was the difference between the teams.''

Continued...