BILLY McKAY insists Dundee United’s superior quality will be decisive when they face free-scoring Dunfermline tonight for a place in the last eight of the League Cup – but only if they match the desire of the Fifers.
The Tangerines have made a miserable start to their Ladbrokes Premiership campaign with just two points from their last six matches which has resulted in a plunge into 11th position.
In contrast Dunfermline have scored 26 goals in seven matches to sit just a point behind League One leaders Ayr United and knocked out Dundee in the last round.
However, there were some encouraging signs for United in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle – not least McKay’s second goal in three matches since joining on loan from Wigan Athletic.
And the Northern Irishman believes knocking out Alan Johnston’s side can be the launchpad they need to return to the level they know they are capable of.
McKay, who is nursing a foot injury, said: “I feel we are one result away from going on a good run.
“In the first half against Inverness, we created a few chances and if we had scored them we would have won the game. But we didn’t and they got the equaliser and we take the point and move on to Dunfermline.
“We need to make sure we treat the game right and give Dunfermline the respect they deserve. They have been in good form and scoring lots of goals so we will need to be at 100 per cent. If we are then we will win.
“Dunfermline beat Dundee in the last round but you can’t take any game for granted – especially a cup game. We know they will be right up for it and we will have to match their desire to reach the next round. But if we do that then our quality will shine through and we will win.”
Dunfermline, of course, was where United boss Jackie McNamara cut his teeth as a professional and it is a club that remains dear to his heart. However, there will be no sentiment tonight.
McNamara said: “I had a fantastic five years there as a kid. I learned so much under some great people.
“Like a lot of clubs, they have suffered from trying to buy success. It would be nice to see them back up and having some success – but not at our expense in the cup.
“First and foremost my feelings about the club go out of the window as we want to win the game.
“It’s right to view them as a banana skin – purely because they put out Dundee in the last round.
“They might be in League One but they are a full-time club and have a few players who have only just dropped down.
“We have to go about it the right way and take our chances. They are scoring goals in their own league and are full of confidence.
“We have to go about it with the same intensity as we started on Saturday and hopefully kill them off.”
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