Sunday 20 March 2016 17:47, UK
Dundee United boss Mixu Paatelainen had the last laugh on taunting Dundee fans after Billy McKay's last-gasp leveller in a thrilling 2-2 derby at Tannadice.
The visiting supporters in the stand above the technical areas targeted the Finn verbally following a Kane Hemmings double and the heckling continued even after Dundee goalkeeper Scott Bain was sent off after the break and McKay scored from the resulting penalty.
When the Northern Irish forward levelled in injury time, Paatelainen turned to his tormentors and cupped both his ears with police officers coming over to calm the situation.
"It was amazing how quiet it got at that stage," he said. "I can understand Dundee supporters giving us plenty of stick, there is no problem at all and it is part and parcel of the game.
"I can handle that, no worries. It belongs to the game but what I can't understand is stewards not doing their job. There were no stewards stopping the abuse we were getting from Dundee supporters.
"What a spirited performance from the players if you want to talk about the game as well. It was an exciting match, a proper derby and it must have been great to watch. I thought we deserved a point, if not three points."
Asked if he felt there might be some action taken by the football authorities for his reactions, he said: "No, surely not? I would be very surprised. It is part and parcel of the game. If that is the level we want to go to, something should be done about those people who said the things they said."
Dundee boss Paul Hartley had to reshuffle his side throughout the afternoon. Substitute Thomas Konrad, who had come on after 16 minutes, had to be replaced himself before half-time by Nicky Low and, after Bain was sent off, Low then had to make way for substitute goalkeeper David Mitchell.
"It was exhausting," said Hartley. "I thought the game had everything, chances and things that go against you. You plan all week and then you get certain situations. Two centre-halves coming off injured in the first half and the goalkeeper getting sent off.
"At 2-0 I felt comfortable but the sending-off changed the game. I don't know if Kevin [Holt], who is on the cover, can get around quickly enough. The game changed, we were down to 10 men and had to adjust the team, to go to a back four.
"They threw everything at us in terms of crosses going in but we dealt with it, we threw bodies on the line, and our attitude was magnificent. Just one lapse of concentration has cost us the three points."
