Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara hailed the performance and spirit of his side after last night’s dramatic League Cup quarter-final win over Hibs at Easter Road.
This was a rip-roaring old-fashioned cup tie a six-goal thriller that ultimately had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
The Tangerines took the lead on three occasions through Chris Erskine, Aidan Connolly and Ryan Dow but were pegged back each time by Hibs with the game drawn after 90 minutes.
The 30 minutes of extra-time ended goalless but United held their nerve to edge through on spot-kicks, to the delight of their travelling support.
Goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak saved from Matthew Kennedy after John Rankin had missed his spot-kick, and the Pole sealed a 7-6 shoot-out win when he threw a hand up to tip over David Gray’s effort.
McNamara said: “I thought it was a great game of football. It was end-to-end and could have gone either way with the penalties.
“In the 90 minutes there were a few things I wasn’t happy with. I thought we should have had a penalty when it was 1-0. I thought it was a stonewaller.
“But the lads deserve a lot of credit, as do Hibs, for the way they played.
“We made a few changes tonight but that is probably the best football we have played this season. We have a semi-final to look forward to but the focus now is on the weekend.
“I am sure (St Mirren boss) Tommy Craig is delighted it went to extra-time and penalties.”
When asked who he would like in the semis, McNamara added: “I am not bothered, to be honest.
“What will be will be but we are delighted to be there.”
Hibs boss Alan Stubbs added: “The lads gave me everything. To perform the way they did speaks volumes for them.
“But when it goes to penalties, it is a lottery. You need the luck.”