IT WAS painful enough for the fans but watching Dundee United’s defending must have been sheer agony for Paul Hegarty.
The Tannadice first-team coach took on the media responsibilities after the Tangerines’ 4-3 defeat at home to St Mirren in the absence of manager Peter Houston, who was in the dugout during the game but had to leave after the full-time whistle.
Hegarty, of course, was one half of the greatest-ever defensive partnership at the club alongside the great Dave Narey.
Given the standards produced by Hegarty and his then teammates in the golden era, he must have been shaking his head in disbelief as the Tangerines’ rearguard leaked four goals to the Buddies.
“Scoring three goals at home and coming away with nothing is obviously disappointing,” said Hegarty.
“Everyone saw that the goals we lost today were poor by our standards. We have had too many games like that and we can’t explain it.
“We played ever so well in the first half to get back from 1-0 down to make it 2-1. We told the players to keep it nice and tight and do what they had been doing in the first half. But five minutes into the second half we lost a goal and it was hard going.
“St Mirren gained in confidence and before we knew it we were on the back foot.
“It was to-ing and fro-ing for the 90 minutes and while that might be great for the neutrals it is not good for us. We didn’t react quickly enough to situations.”
United now face a trip to Pittodrie on Wednesday to play Aberdeen, who are in fine fettle after beating Dundee 3-1 at Dens on Saturday.
“We have an important match up at Aberdeen on January 2 now and hopefully we can rectify things,” added Hegarty.
“The manager and (coach) Gary Kirk went to see Aberdeen at Dundee on Saturday and they played ever so well so we have a game on our hands.
“We have to get back to winning ways and if we can do that at Pittodrie we would be delighted.”
The Tangerines had defender Brian McLean sent off for a two-footed tackle on John McGinn and Hegarty reflected that in his day it would not have merited an ordering off.
“If you go in with your studs up it’s going to be a red card,” said Hegarty.
“In days gone by you would just get on with it but the ref saw that and decided to send Brian off. That was a big turning point as well because right before it Michael Gardyne had a chance to make it 3-3 but played it over the bar. Had we scored that one and kept Brian on the park then it could have been so different.”
St Mirren gaffer Danny Lennon was understandably satisfied with a victory that took them 12 points clear of bottom club Dundee.
“United are a quality side and always dangerous so it’s a fantastic three points for us and a great way to finish 2012.”
Tangerines’ midfielder Willo Flood left the field in the first half after picking up a groin strain and will be doubtful for the Dons clash, while McLean will be suspended.
iroache@thecourier.co.uk
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