Dundee United 1 AZ 0: Glenn Middleton’s sensational strike ignites Tannadice European dream

JACK ROSS promised Dundee United wouldn’t go into Europe to simply be tourists. 

Well, Glenn Middleton’s second-half stunner to beat AZ Alkmaar has given them a real chance to keep the passports out for a while yet.  

2

Glenn Middleton’s strike to give Dundee United the leadCredit: PA

2

Glenn Middleton celebrates goalCredit: Kenny Ramsay

The Tannadice new boy slammed home a superb left-footed shot after some great build up play by himself and from fellow summer signing Jamie McGrath to stun Pascal Jansen’s side. 

AZ arrived with the air of a team who felt they would win this contest with plenty to spare but although they stroked the ball about well, United keeper Mark Birighitti wasn’t asked to make too many saves. 

United proved they’ve got plenty of quality themselves and nobody could grudge them the lead heading into next week’s second leg. 

Middleton’s goal alone was worthy of winning any game of football – and it has set up a great opportunity to make the Europa Conference League playoffs. 

After a few weeks where Scottish football has taken a kicking in Europe, with Motherwell and Rangers both losing, this superb result was a much-needed fillip for the SPFL. 

Ross spent his pre-match instilling belief in his players by telling them never to feel inferior.  

And despite AZ dominating the opening quarter-hour, zipping it around from the back and looking every inch a class act, United steadily grew in confidence as time wore on. 

They spent the first phase chasing shadows, with only a Tony Watt foray down the left and a Dylan Levitt free kick into the penalty area giving the sellout Tannadice crowd much to cheer. 

But to their credit, United’s players went toe-to-toe with their opponents and started to believe they could prevail. 

They had to weather a few early scares and their hearts were in their mouths on 8 minutes as a poor kick from new keeper Birighitti landed perfectly for Hakon Avjen to pick up and deliver into the six-yard box. 

United’s defence was stretched to the limit and with Dani de Wit and the impressive Vangelis Pavlidis both lurking, a goal looked virtually certain. 

But the home side’s luck held, as the AZ pair got in each other’s way in their eagerness to meet the cross and the chance was gone. A huge let off.  

After that passive opening spell, United started to visibly gain confidence and offered more of an attacking threat, with midfielder Ian Harkes getting higher up the pitch to support Steven Fletcher up top. 

United’s improved attacking play nearly bore fruit on 21 minutes as Craig Sibbald found space on the left-hand side of the box. 

He steadied himself and with a clear view of Hobie Verhulst’s goal, took on a drive towards his far corner but the keeper produced a decent two-handed save. 

Portuguese ref Vitor Ferreria, who had already booked Pantelis Hatzidiakos, had the yellow card out for Fletcher just after the half-hour, judging the striker to have led with his elbow while challenging for an aerial ball with Sam Beukema. 

AZ were not so dominant but still very dangerous and created another chance on 37 minutes, this time for Mayckel Lahdo at the back post but he couldn’t get enough power on Milos Kerkez’s deep cross to trouble Birighitti. 

United, buoyed by the way they ended the first half, started the second positively and had two decent chances early on. 

BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS AND FREE BETS

First Fletcher found space in a pocket between the two AZ centre halves and was perfectly placed for Liam Smith’s cross, but just mistimed his jump fractionally so couldn’t make contact.

And then from the next passage of play, the hitman gathered inside the box, swivelled and shot – but Kerkez did just enough to put him off and he pulled it wide. 

Pavlidis was proving a menace to the United defender, even though he drifted in and out of things at times. 

And on 58 minutes the 23-year-old Greek international underlined his danger by exploiting space in behind before zipping a shot across goal which Birghetti was relieved to see pass. 

Ross made his first change just before the hour, introducing new signing McGrath – who only officially joined 24 hour earlier – for Sibbald. 

And within two minutes the ex-St Mirren man played a pivotal role in United’s opening goal. 

Middleton picked up a pass from Levitt on the near touchline, skinned Jordy Clasie and Evjen, before breaking forward to exchange a one-two with his new team-mate. 

McGrath knew what he wanted, rolling a perfect ball back into the former Rangers man’s path and he curled a superb left-footed shot around Verhulst into the far corner from 16 yards. 

It was a superb goal and although Alkmaar had enjoyed more possession of the ball, nobody could say United didn’t deserve to lead. 

United skipper Ryan Edwards saved his side from conceding an equaliser, getting a head of the ball in front of goal as AZ skipper Indi lashed one from the edge of the box.

Charlie Mulgrew, a rock at the back against Pavlidis all night, tried to double their lead with a shot from 25 yards which had Verhulst scampering along his line. 

Birghitti hadn’t been overworked but pulled off a fantastic block late in the game to deny Pavlidis, who cracked one low towards his bottom corner after swivelling in the box. 

But United held on to send Tannadice wild at the final whistle.

After a decade away from European football this was some return to the big time.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page