Source: FOOTYMAD
You Can Bank On Steve
Older goalkeepers are still able to contribute to the cause. Dundee United turned to their veteran goalkeeping coach Steve Banks for the Scottish Cup game against Ross County and he did not let them down. He made sure his side made it to the penalty shoot-out and was his side's hero when he made two penalty saves in the final drama. The fourth-round replay at Victoria Park ended goalless before United won through 4-3 on penalties. Banks, who will be 39 next month, was only told he was playing the day before the game after regular number one Dusan Pernis picked up an injury. He said: "Dusan is struggling a bit with a thigh injury, it was a precautionary measure to rest him. We didn't want him to kick a ball, hopefully he will be fit for Saturday. I'm here as back up and to coach the keepers, but I thoroughly enjoyed playing, I can't honestly remember the last time I played a competitive 90 minutes. Even in some of the reserve games I had to share because of lack of games. It was nice to get an opportunity. It was a long way to come to get a game but I'm happy to play when I'm needed." Speaking about the drama of the penalty shootout, Banks went on: "I had a lot of confidence in the boys, but I must admit I've not had much luck with penalties in matches. I was just trying to look big and luckily I guessed a couple of them and made some saves." Banks, who has played for a total of 13 clubs during his long career, believes the win can kickstart United's season. He said: "We haven't quite been at our best and we have had major players out through injury, so hopefully this can push us on. The boys are up for it, the result is a real confidence booster." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
