Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson laughed off another penalty shootout loss on what was a good opening night for his team.
The Tangerines drew 1-1 with Hearts at a rain-lashed Tynecastle before missing out on the Betfred Cup bonus point thanks to a 5-3 defeat from the spot.
United had signed off last season with a rather more costly shootout defeat in the promotion play-off against St Mirren but Neilson saw the funny side of this one.
Asked how it felt to suffer again, he joked: “I was just delighted than when wee (Paul) McMullan stepped up it actually went in!
“That for me was a win…
“I wasn’t bothered about what happened after that!”
Asked if, despite missing out on the bonus, it was still a positive night for his players, Neilson was emphatic.
He replied: “100% – yes.
“We played against a top six or even top four Premiership team and to come down here and draw is great.
“Any side probably outwith the Old Firm would be happy to come here and get a point so I’m pleased for the players.
“I think we proved to ourselves and everyone else that we can play at this level.”
Neilson was glad for goalscorer Lawrence Shankland, who wasted little time getting off the mark in competitive football for the Tangerines.
He added: “When you come to a new club you are always looking to get that first goal and to do it here against two international centre-halves shows the quality he has.
“We need to get more service to him but I think we will do that in the league because we are not coming up against the same kind of quality as we did tonight.”
