Steven Fletcher is adamant Dundee United are finally fit for survival thanks to a second ‘pre-season’ under Jim Goodwin.
The veteran striker admits the Tannadice squad’s fitness levels were in poor shape as they slumped to the bottom of the table under Liam Fox before the new boss’ arrival last month. But a rigorous training regime during March has added energy which was there for all to see on Sunday as they grabbed their first victory in 12 thanks to a 90th minute winner against Hibs on Sunday.
Now Fletcher is convinced they can go the distance over the final seven games to save their top flight skins. The 36-year-old hitman was the difference against Hibs, heading home after eight minutes then using all his experience to win a last minute penalty and allow Jamie McGrath to secure three precious points from the spot. It moves United back to within two points of Ross County and three of Kilmarnock who sit in the safe haven of 10th. And Fletcher said: “It was a long time coming and I think we showed good character on Sunday, especially when they got the goal back. In weeks gone by, we have gone under, retreated inside ourselves and not shown our quality.
“We showed that character against Hibs. That’s down to the gaffer, he has come in and filled the boys with confidence in the weeks he’s been here. Our fitness levels and standards; everything is higher.
"The gaffer came in and said, ‘listen, you aren’t fit enough’. We knew that, he’s come in given us a mini pre-season, it was good. The boys bought into it straight away, which is half the battle when a new manager is coming in.”
The pressure was ramped up on Goodwin’s side when County stretched the gap to five points with a win at St Johnstone on Saturday. But the Tannadice side showed their grit to respond in the best manner.
Fletcher’s bullet header got them off to the perfect start. It may have come against the club who gave him his big break but the target man says there was no chance he wasn’t celebrating - not with the stakes so high.
It was also his 50th top flight goal in Scotland coming 19 years after his first which ironically came against United for Hibs. And he said: “Don’t say that, it’ll make me feel old!
"No, hopefully it is an important one. My job is to go out there and score as many goals as possible and from now on, I’ll keep trying to plug away and get a few.
“I know some people don’t celebrate but, with what that result meant to us as a group, the emotions just take over. We need to pick up points.
“There have been games we’ve played well but come away losing. It’s frustrating. But hopefully the tide has turned and we can go on a run, picking up result.
“I missed a sitter in the second half and Immi (Niskanen) missed a chance as well. When you have those chances, you think to yourself: is it not going to be our day?
“We kept plugging away and, for the penalty, as soon as I saw the ball bounce in the box my eyes lit up. I knew I could get a touch on it and that he (Will Fish) would take a swing. I knew he was going to kick me. Bit of experience there!”
United travel to Motherwell this weekend before hosting Livingston in the last game before the split. And Fletcher said: “I know the pressure will always be out there, but we can’t think about that.
"We need to look after ourselves and take care of the results we can affect like we did on Sunday. It’s a massive statement but we’ll take every game as it comes.
“I’ve said from the minute I came here, the boys are a fantastic group and the way they train is great, I’d never question that. And I know they’ll never get carried away. We enjoyed it for a couple of hours — but then it’s back to work on Monday.”
