Nicky Clarkâs penalty U-turn is proving to be spot-on for Dundee United.
Clark scored from 12 yards to secure the three points against Inverness Caley Thistle at Tannadice on Tuesday, having also netted a penalty winner against Queen of the South earlier this month.
Both were confident conversions but it could have been a different story had the frontman not reversed a decision he made after missing one against Ross County in July.
It was after that Betfred Cup group loss up in Dingwall that Clark told then manager Csaba Laszlo that he would rather someone else took the responsibility.
The former Dunfermline man also memorably saw two of his kicks saved by United goalie Cammy Bell when he saved three penalties at East End Park back in September 2016.
Thankfully, though, Clark looks a good bet for a goal now and praised United strikersâ coach Lee McCulloch for his encouragement and guidance.
Clark said: “I have been working on penalties in training over the last few weeks.
“It is just at the end of each training session, taking maybe four or five.
“I am just getting used to hitting it and usually do a couple either side for good measure.
“To be fair, Lee McCulloch has been helping me since he came in as striking coach.
“It is paying off and I was just delighted to see this latest one go in to get us three important points.
“Overall, Lee has been good with myself, Pavol Safranko and big Osman Sow as well.
“Personally, I’ve known Lee for a while as we were at Rangers together.
“Even back then when we were at Ibrox, he was a big help so I am really happy he is around the club.”
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Clark is developing a good habit of scoring goals for United just when they need them.
That perfect timing could come in handy when Inverness Caley Thistle return to Tannadice on Sunday for the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final.
“As a striker, you thrive on goals,â he said.
âIt is even better when it gets us three points for the team.
“At this stage of the season, it’s all just about getting wins.
“Sunday is a cup game so it will be completely different from Tuesday nightâs match.
“We just need to prepare for that as we always do.
âThey will come here desperate to beat us after losing this one so we need to make sure we are ready.”
The league remains the priority, though, with Clark adding: “We just need to keep winning games.
“All we can do is look after ourselves knowing that we still have to play Ross County twice.
“They will be two massive games and we need to win them both.
“Hopefully, they will slip up but we have to be ready.”
