Dundee United’s derby hero Paul McMullan is happy to stay as a striker or go back to winging it, as long it helps the Tangerines.
McMullan was manager Ray McKinnon’s emergency choice to lead the line at Dens Park on Sunday.
With Patrick N’Koyi and James Keatings both injured and Scott McDonald short of match fitness, McKinnon picked the 21-year-old former Celtic wide man ahead of teenager Matty Smith.
The move paid off, with McMullan scoring as United first drew 1-1 with Dundee then beat the Dark Blues in a penalty shoot-out to finish top of Betfred Cup Group C.
They were seeded in the last-16 draw that followed the full-time whistle but that didn’t stop them being sent back to Dens for a second cup-tie.
The Tangerines might have expected an easier fixture as reward for grabbing the penalty bonus point but a return trip down the road on either August 8 or 9 won’t worry McMullan, who found the net just seconds before half-time with a clever finish.
Now the task is to kick off the – far more important – Championship campaign then enjoy more derby success in the cup.
With new boy McDonald suspended for the ICT game along with teammates Smith and Mark Durnan, the likelihood is that McMullan will be up front again when United travel to the Highlands to open their league season against Inverness Caley Thistle this Saturday, although the Australian should make the derby re-run after playing 22 minutes as a sub on Sunday.
So the former Dunfermline loan man has declared himself to be ready and willing to step forward if or when required.
McMullan said: “I just want to be playing so it is up to the gaffer where he plays me.
“Whether that is on the wing or up front I don’t mind, as long as I am in the team.
“I enjoyed playing up front against Dundee.
“I didn’t mind it and it was made easier by the three guys behind me giving me the supply.
“So if I play there again I will do the same and hopefully get another goal when we are back here for the next round.
“Winning on penalties left a nice taste but obviously we would have preferred to win in the 90 minutes.
“Beating them on penalties felt a bit like a moral victory so it gave the fans something to celebrate at the end.
“A few of the lads who have been around the club longer than me made it clear what the derby means to the supporters.
“It actually surprised me when we walked out how good the atmosphere was – it was really enjoyable.
“We will be back here next week now and that’s great because the lads want to play in games like these.
“We looked forward to the game on Sunday there and we will look forward to the next one now as well.
“Hopefully, we can go one better and win in the 90 minutes.”
McMullan has been one of the real success stories for United even this early in the season and his goal at Dens was his third in four appearances for his new club.
He is relishing the campaign ahead, which he hopes will end in promotion back to the top flight.
McMullan said: “I have enjoyed it so far because we have a team of talented players who like to play the ball on the grass.
“It has been really good and hopefully we will only get better as the season goes on.
“Nobody here is talking about being heavy favourites for the league but you can’t stop people talking from outside the club.
“It comes with having good players but we are paying no attention to that.
“We just have to go out every week and pick up as many points as we can.
“Hopefully, in the end that will be enough to take us back into the Premiership.”
