Dundee United “still have a long way to go”, Robbie Neilson has admitted.
The 0-0 draw and then penalty shoot-out defeat against Arbroath has provided a reminder to the Tangerines that, despite their 100% league record, they can’t expect to get things their own way.
“I think it’s important that we focus on the league but sometimes it’s good to get a reminder of where we are,” said the Tannadice boss.
“We’ve still got a long way to go.
“We’re still vulnerable and we need to work hard to get results. We need to make sure we focus fully on Ayr now.”
That is two cups United are out of now, with only the Scottish Cup left to divert attention away from securing the Championship title.
Neilson said: “The focus right from the start of the season has been the league. It’s another distraction out of the way for us.
“And I thought it was a decent performance and we worked hard enough. We just couldn’t get that final bit and put the ball in the net.”
The positive from Saturday’s game was the first team minutes the likes of Peter Pawlett got.
Neilson said: “I think it was important to get some fitness in boys, rest some and make sure we didn’t get any injuries.
“I think it’s important for these guys – we have a long season.
“It’s important all the guys that maybe haven’t been regulars in the first four games in the league are ready to go when they get their chance. It was good to give them a run out.”
