Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon has called on Patrick N’Koyi to kick on after his double sent them through to the next round of the Irn-Bru Cup.
The striker scored with a close-range shot and a header in the second half to get the better of Cowdenbeath at Tannadice as they made a successful start to the defence of the trophy.
Now McKinnon is looking for the Congolese-Dutchman to battle for a starting spot in the Championship once he gets match-sharp.
The United boss said: “Patrick wants to do well but he is still rusty.
“Nothing was working for him in the first half but it was better in the second.
“He grew into the game and hopefully those two goals should give him the confidence to kick on.
“He needs to build up his energy levels and fitness and then hopefully he can start playing in the first team.”
As for the match itself, McKinnon added: “I don’t think we were stretched at any point even though we had some young kids on.
“So it was a good result and it was nice to see so many players making debuts and getting time on the park.
“The kids all did OK. They are a good bunch and it was about getting a taste of the first team to see where they are.”
