Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon heaped praise on hat-trick hero Cammy Smith after the Tangerines strolled into the last eight of the Betfred Cup.
Smith lit up Tannadice with a terrific treble – the third one from the penalty spot – before the game was even a half-an-hour old.
Partick Thistle pulled one back through a Sean Welsh penalty but the night was all about Smith and his teammates as they won 3-1.
McKinnon said: “Cammy’s third goal was a penalty but his other two were absolutely magnificent.
“He showed composure for the first one by reading the flick then nicking it past the defender then his finish for the second was just great.
“We had a lot of good performances but I think he was man-of-the-match because of the hat-trick.
“I think it will do wonders for him.
“We’ve been having a chat and asking the players what they think that number 10 role is.
“They all think it’s about being creative but it’s about scoring goals as well because you are effectively a striker.
“We’ve tried to get that into their heads and had a conversation about Cammy making runs beyond (lead striker) Tope Obadeyi and he got a hat trick out of it.
“He did that brilliantly.
“I was delighted with the chances we made. I won’t be critical and say we should have scored more – I’ll just say it was great.
“I enjoyed the performance and all the lads showed a great attitude.
“We started really deeply on Saturday and invited Queen of the South into our half so tonight was all about getting into their half early, getting the ball down and playing.
“I thought they did that brilliantly and I must give the boys credit for a great performance.
“We have had a decent start now and we have to maintain that for the rest of the season.”
Meanwhile, United have told former St Johnstone striker Marcus Haber, who had been on trial, that he can leave the club.
