Dundee Utd 1
St Mirren 2
League (Premier Division)

Manager's Programme Notes

Despite my obvious delight at the events of last Wednesday night at Ibrox, I nevertheless intend utilising my column in this club programme this afternoon to what I rate to be a vitally important explanation. It concerns the publicity and consequent criticism forwarded to me in the aftermath of our last home game here at Tannadice, our 6-1 Scottish Cup win over Motherwell. First of all allow me to explain that [he use of the word fined in the stories which followed my refusal to pay out the full sum of the player's entertainment bonus was completely false. I docked a percentage of that bonus on the particular occasion for several reasons, the main one being to keep the player's feet on the ground — and admit that I would do it again for the very same reason.

Going in to such a vital stage of the season when even bigger prizes are at stake, it has to be made clear to everyone, including myself, that only the best will do both in performance and preparation. And I add hastily that there was not a murmur of complaint from any of the men on the receiving end of the docking, in fact there was plenty of agreement that despite the winning scoreline, several aspects of our play was contrary 10 plans. Of course I was delighted at most of the performance that afternoon, it was the best display of finishing I have seen in years. Finally, what can I say about our midweek triump'h at Ibrox other than FANTASTIC!! To think that the side had the determination to maintain their standard despite key losses in the ranks during the game, says everything regarding their professional attitudes.