Gary Mackay-Steven has admitted that doing the derby double over Dundee felt all the sweeter after getting stick from the away fans at Tannadice.
Mackay-Steven, one of Scottish football’s Mr Nice Guys, was booed after coming on as a second-half substitute by some supporters of the Dark Blues, who clearly felt he had dived for the penalty that sent United on their way to a 4-1 win in the first city clash at Dens on Sunday.
Rather than left the verbal abuse affect him, though, Mackay-Steven answered back in the best possible way by delivering the stoppage-time corner from which Jarek Fojut clinched the most dramatic of 1-0 victories for the Tangerines.
Mackay-Steven said: “It was a great way to win the derby, especially after the game being so tight. I would imagine it was a sickener for them but our dressing-room was very happy.
“I got a lot of stick when I came on but that’s part and parcel of a derby. I get it from the Dundee fans but our fans give it to their guys as well it’s part of the occasion.
“There is no doubt at all it was a penalty last Sunday. I was surprised when people were even commenting on whether it was or wasn’t.
“In my eyes, it was 100% a penalty.
“However, when you are getting pelters from the stand it makes it all the sweeter when you win the game as we did on Wednesday.
“It is enjoyable when that happens.”
The Tangerines’ reward was a last-eight clash against Championship strugglers Hibs on either October 28 or 29.
Having lost the Scottish Cup final in such frustrating fashion in May, the Tangerines are desperate for success in the League Cup.
Mackay-Steven said: “The aim is to have a better run in the League Cup because we want to get to a final.
“We are in the quarters so we are in with the same shout as everyone else. Obviously the Scottish Cup final last season was really disappointing and it does spur you on.
“St Johnstone were better in every department that day and it is still hard to speak about. We didn’t do ourselves justice but we have to do the talking on the pitch now.
“We felt we didn’t cover ourselves in glory at Celtic Park so we want to go one better this season and get some silverware.
“We don’t want to feel like we did that day ever again.
“After that everyone went on holiday and even then when you thought about football it was the cup final on your mind.
“So it wasn’t until we came back for pre-season that we started getting our heads together and say let’s make up for it this season.”