Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin still does not want to take anything for granted in the race to finish in the William Hill Scottish Premiership’s top six.
Ross Graham scored the only goal of the game against Ross County to seal three points for the Tannadice outfit, putting them six points clear of seventh-placed St Mirren with two games to go until the second phase of the campaign.
However, Goodwin has been around long enough to know it might not take much to turn things around, particularly with only seven goals separating goal difference between the two sides.
“We knew how difficult the game was going to be, and it was going to take a bit of resilience and team spirit to get this result,” he explained.
“It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t a game full of real quality. Two competitive teams were going at it and we always thought one goal would be enough.
“We spoke during the week about getting back to basics and we set the players the target of a clean sheet because we always believe we’ll score.
“I’ve been in the game long enough to realise the top six is not done though. Until it’s mathematically done, we won’t be celebrating anything.
“St Mirren are in great form and they will fancy themselves in their next few games, and the goal difference isn’t so huge that it can’t be cut down.
“We won’t get carried away. It was important to get back to basics and do that well, and now we’ll look forward to Hearts.”
Staggies boss Don Cowie was frustrated Ross County escaped a warning shot from Graham, only minutes before conceding the winner.
“It is frustrating that a set-piece was the difference because there wasn’t much in it in the first half,” he said.
“Dundee United are in the top six because they are relentless and we didn’t do enough to get back in it when we were 1-0 down.
“At no stage did we create any real momentum. We say all the time that we can go 1-0 down, it’s about how we react.
“There was plenty of time left in the game, and we didn’t show enough. We had plenty of quality on the pitch and with the way the squad is right now everyone is chomping at the bit to play, so I wanted to see a bit more.
“We’re an honest group and they know they could have done better in that second half.”
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