Dundee Utd4–1Inverness CT

It was the return of league football as Tannadice hosted the opening Championship game of the season against Inverness. It was as important an opening match as the expectant crowd could have wished for, with Inverness considered to be amongst the title contenders along with their hosts. Robbie Nielson handed home league debuts to Lawrence Shankland, Liam Smith and Louis Appere whilst the visitors fielded ex-tangerines Coll Donaldson and James Keatings in their starting eleven. Despite some changes in personnel the two teams knew each other well, having faced off in the play off semi final at the end of last season. A similar outcome from today’s match would certainly be welcomed as the Club looks to achieve promotion from the Championship at the fourth attempt.

United started on the front foot and Appere burst through the middle after just a minute, causing a scramble in the Inverness six-yard box. Amidst the panic was a claim for handball before the ball was hacked away, leading to a close shave at the other end as a Jordan White cross was met by Keatings whose effort struck the outside of the post. The home side were furious that White hadn’t been flagged offside prior to setting up the chance. In the 6th minute Appere again tore down the middle but was just closed down as he was about to pull the trigger. The forward’s bright start was about to be rewarded however as he played a major part in the opening goal of the game. Appere’s delightful lifted cross from the left was met emphatically by Lawrence Shankland who bulleted a header beyond Mark Ridgers into the bottom corner. A counter attack from United then created an opportunity to extend the lead in the 15th minute. Sam Stanton surged forward, and spotting the overlapping run of Nicky Clark, played the striker in however Clark sent his shot a foot over. The high tempo was halted for several moments to allow treatment on Caley midfielder Brad McKay, who eventually had to be replaced by James Vincent. In the 29th minute Inverness, against the run of play, then drew level. A Keatings corner was met by Jamie McCart who headed powerfully towards goal. Benji Siegrist did well to touch the ball onto the bar but Tom Walsh was on hand to prod the rebound high into the net. The response from United was positive as they immediately went back on the attack to retake the lead. Paul McMullan was this time the provider with an excellent cross met near post again by the head of Lawrence Shankland who glanced into the far corner. An action packed 45 minutes of football came to an end with no further scoring, however it was the hosts continuing to press and looking likely to add to their lead.

Seven minutes following the restart the hosts created another opening when Calum Butcher teed up Clark for an effort outside the box which curled just over. In the 53rd minute United then deservedly increased their lead in similar fashion to the earlier two goals. Appere cut inside from the left flank and curled another pinpoint cross which was met by the head of Lawrence Shankland. This time the summer signing nodded the ball back across Ridgers and low into the corner to complete his hat-trick. In the 68th minute Keatings shot high over as Caley looked for a lifeline before John Robertson made a double change with 19 minutes remaining. McMullan won a corner for United from which Appere’s powerful shot was deflected before being cleared upfield. Another corner followed soon after and this time Caley keeper Ridgers had to react instinctively to prevent a Donaldson own goal as the defender headed in the wrong direction. United sub Cammy Smith almost added a fourth in 79 minutes when his shot following an Appere cross beat Ridgers but was blocked desperately by the legs of Vincent. As if the day couldn’t get any better for Lawrence Shankland as he sealed an emphatic win with his fourth goal in the 86th minute. Cammy Smith cut the ball back to him from the right and Shankland controlled, swivelled and turned before curling a low left foot shot into the bottom corner. There was a deserved ovation for the striker as he was then replaced by Scott Banks in the 88th minute. United’s final chance fell to Ian Harkes, whose strong right foot shot was deflected for a corner as the hosts finished the game as they’d started it - on the front foot.