Dundee United , it would seem, are back.
Their 1-0 victory over Ross County in Dingwall tells the rest of the Championship – including leaders Ayr United – that the Tangerines are the real deal again under manager Robbie Neilson and right in the thick of the title race.
The Robbie Revival continues apace, with his record since taking over from Csaba Laszlo now reading four wins and a draw.
Paul Watson was the goal hero on 15 minutes, stabbing a shot home from close range, but the United players were all heroes as they soaked up some intense County pressure – including a dozen corners – and eight minutes of added time.
This was a fantastic result and there can now be doubt that they are a team transformed under Neilson.
Let’s not forget that the Tangerines were torn to shreds by the Staggies as they lost 5-1 at Tannadice as recently as September 29 – Laszlo’s last game in charge.
United made one change and it was all-important, with the injured Callum Booth replaced by Watson.
The Staggies thought they had taken a dramatic lead after just one minute but the offside flag was up as Billy Mckay shot into the net.
There was no hint of offside just minutes later when ex-Tannadice man Mckay ghosted in and his downward header had to be pushed over by keeper Benjamin Siegrist.
However, it was United who took the lead against the run of play after 15 minutes.
A floated freekick from the right was sent into the box by Fraser Aird. William Edgenguele headed the ball down and Watson was there to toe-poke it into the net from close range.
That sent the 900-plus travelling support wild.
There was a moment of controversy on 21 minutes when United’s Paul McMullan went down inside the County box but instead of a penalty he received a yellow card for simulation.
There was a worry for United when Edjenguele appeared to barge into Davis Keillor-Dunn as they ran back into the visitors’ box.
The Tangerines then went on the attack again and McMullan sent a low ball right across the face of goal then Aird’s strike was deflected into the side-netting.
The hosts then got a break just after the restart when Sean Kelly, who had already been booked, body-checked McMullan as the United player tried to go around him. It should have been a second yellow card.
The hosts brought on Declan McManus for Keillor-Dunn before, with 57 minutes gone, United defender Rachid Bouhenna sent a freekick over from 35 yards.
Billy King did well for the Tangerines when he weaved his way forward but his shot was pulled just wide of the far post.
United hearts were in mouths on 64 minutes when captain Fyvie hobbled off holding his left hamstring. He was replaced by sub Christophe Rabitsch. County then had Liam Fontaine wheeled away on a stretcher as both sides lost key men to injury.
The Tangerines made another switch, bringing on Nicky Clark for King, before Ian Vigurs blasted over for the home team. The final change came with five minutes to go as Jamie Robson replaced goalscorer Watson.
There was no further scoring and it may have been a tired United team that survived the eight minutes of injury time but they were a happy bunch indeed as they went over to applaud their singing supporters.
