Source: Team_Talk
Houston happy with United display
Peter Houston praised the character of his Dundee United side after David Goodwillie's late strike earned them a 1-0 win over Hibernian.[LNB] Hibs forward John Rankin blocked Jon Daly's first-half diving header on the line but spurned his opportunity for further heroics as his 65th-minute penalty was saved by Dusan Pernis.[LNB]And Hibs' misery was compounded when Goodwillie latched onto a loose ball and visiting goalkeeper Mark Brown was caught in no-man's land as the United striker tucked in after 87 minutes for his seventh goal in nine games.[LNB]"I'm absolutely delighted with the three points," said Houston.[LNB]"I said before the game if we could grind out a 1-0 win result and get this three-game losing run over, get a clean sheet, I'd be delighted.[LNB]"And I'm so pleased with them because it emphasises the character of the team."[LNB]Houston believes Pernis' penalty save and Goodwillie's effort, which punished the one mistake Hibs' defence made today, epitomised the spirit of his United side after the controversial loss to Celtic and two defeats in four days to Motherwell.[LNB]"When you lose a penalty kick you feel you're going to have to chase things again but it shows the quality of our big goalkeeper - he's fantastic," added the manager.[LNB]"And the other side when we get a wee break, typical David Goodwillie doesn't give up on anything, fights for everything and he's got his just rewards."[LNB]Houston believes his side were worthy winners, particularly after a first 45 minutes in which they came closest to scoring through Daly's header.[LNB]He said: "We created enough chances to win the match, a tough, tough match."[LNB]The defeat was a second straight loss for Colin Calderwood since he succeeded John Hughes as Hibs boss.[LNB]Hibs' last visit to Tannadice in May resulted in a 2-0 win and confirmed a fourth-placed finish and European qualification.[LNB]How different it is now after a poor start to the campaign which sees Hibs with a record of two wins from 13 games in all competitions this term ahead of next weekend's Edinburgh derby with Hearts.[LNB]"We haven't got the point we deserved and losing at the end feels like salt in the wound," said Calderwood.[LNB]"We're obviously disappointed, but heartened by an improved showing."[LNB]The former Scotland defender oversaw the 4-2 loss at Aberdeen last week as a mistake-ridden performance saw Hibs lose four goals before replying late on.[LNB]Calderwood saw plenty of improvement at the end of his first full week in charge, but lamented the one major error which resulted in the defeat.[LNB]Calderwood said: "I liked a lot of what we did do.[LNB]"The unfortunate thing was a slight mistake gave them a chance.[LNB]"We've got to make sure we go the full 90 and see the match out.[LNB]"Unfortunately the moment's lapse that we had afforded them their best chance."[LNB]Calderwood refused to point the finger at Rankin for his penalty miss.[LNB]"Brave enough to take it John and I think our record with penalties is poor recently," he said.[LNB]Hibs now face Hearts next Sunday, a match Calderwood believes could provide the perfect tonic.[LNB]"I think that takes care of itself - it's so big for everyone in the city that it'll really ignite everyone in this week's training so it's almost the perfect game for us," he said.[LNB]"I'm really looking forward to sampling Easter Road for the first time and if we can play like that I don't think we'll be too far away from getting some points and some wins."
