Dundee United’s midweek matchwinner Matty Smith is proving that he is a quick learner.
After a quiet first half against Queen of the South, the young forward was given instructions to shoot more by his manager.
Within just three minutes of the re-start, he was trying his luck from 25 yards out and giving his team a crucial lead.
And it was the sort of shot Smith didn’t really know he had in his locker.
“It must be one of the best I’ve scored,” he admitted.
“At half-time the gaffer was telling me I hadn’t had any shots.
“So when it came to me, I thought, ‘you know what, I’m going to hit this.’ And it went into the top bin.
“I’ll take that.
“It’s not my usual type of goal. I’m more known for getting them in and around the six yard box – like my second goal.
“I was shocked!”
It was about as good a 21st birthday as Smith could have asked for, even if Csaba Laszlo believed he should have been taking the match ball home as a late present.
In stoppage time, Paul McMullan had teed him up perfectly on a counter-attack but the clinical finishing for goals number one and two deserted him with a hat-trick on the cards.
Smith said: “It wasn’t even a ‘congratulations on scoring two goals on your birthday’ (from Laszlo). It was more ‘what were you thinking for that third one?’
“I should have hit it first time. When I took a touch the ball was in my feet and the keeper wasn’t quick enough to get across so I couldn’t fake it and shoot.
“I went for the gap and the keeper just got there.
“He wants the best out of me so I can see where he was coming from.
“I’m delighted with the two goals, though.
“There will be no birthday celebrations at the weekend because we’re playing Saturday and will be training the day after. We’ve got games Saturday, Tuesday most weeks now so there is a lot of football coming up.”
That will mean a lot of opportunities for Smith to enhance a growing reputation.
After being given a start ahead of Scott McDonald, he can be in no doubt about how highly his manager rates him.
“I’m sure Scott would have been gutted not to play but obviously it’s a confidence boost for me,” said Smith.
“We’ve got a lot of games coming up and hopefully that will do a lot for my confidence and for the boys.
“I hadn’t been playing much so getting a game and goals in the last two games is obviously good for me personally.”
He and Thomas Mikkelsen linked up well and Smith believes that can be a productive combination.
“With a big boy holding the ball up I can make runs off him, which suits me,” he said.
“His goal (which Smith set up) was a really good one too.”
Five points ahead of the fifth placed team, with three games in hand, United now look secure in the play-offs.
They are also just seven off Livingston – again with three games in hand – so second spot is looking much more attainable as well on the back of Tuesday night’s victory.
“We needed that win,” said Smith.
“It was tough breaking them down but after we took the lead that opened things up for us and then I got my second goal.
“Livi drew, which was good for us, and we’ve opened up more of a gap on Queen of the South and Dunfermline.”
Meanwhile, Laszlo was happy with McDonald’s reaction to being dropped to the bench at Palmerston.
He said: “Scott McDonald was very positive, which is what we need. Not everybody can be in the starting XI.”
