ALEX DISAPPOINTED AT UNDER-21 DEFEAT

Following the 0-2 home defeat of the United U-21's by their Celtic counterparts yesterday afternoon, Manager Alex Smith expressed his disappointment with the performance of the young Tangerines: "Unfortunately, we have seen a rather lack-lustre performance from the lads who usually play some exciting football. It's been our second game in three days, and Monday's evening match and late night return from Rugby Park has obviously taken its toll. They looked jaded and were always one pace off the game with Celtic being the far sharper side throughout. Celtic deserved to win and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them on winning the U-21 League on Monday night. Our young team has been asked to play a lot of games in recent weeks due to matches having cancelled in the course of this winter's bad weather. We'll rest them for a few days and I am sure they'll be back to entertain us again in their usual attacking style by next week and I am looking forward to that."