Kilmarnock 0 - 2 Dundee Utd: Levein praises Webster after defying flu bug to shackle Kyle

Published on Sunday 8 November 2009 21:33

DUNDEE United manager Craig Levein praised Andy Webster after the defender turned in a star performance in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday despite being under the weather.

In an entertaining and open game, Tannadice striker Damian Casalinuovo put the Taysiders ahead from the spot in the 21st minute after left-back Garry Hay had tripped Jennison Myrie-Williams inside the box.

The Argentine grabbed his second in the 57th minute when the impressive Myrie-Williams, who caused the Ayrshire side no end of trouble with his pace and power, appeared to slice his shot which fell kindly for Casalinuovo to knock in from close range.

However, Killmarnock posed plenty of threat and Webster, on loan from Rangers, worked hard to contain burly striker Kevin Kyle, with a little help from fellow defender Garry Kenneth and keeper Nicky Weaver, who also had an outstanding game.

Levein revealed that Webster almost did not make the game. "Andy actually wasn't going to play. He still has this flu thing, so it was huge credit to him," said Levein.

"It was touch and go, he was going to do the warm-up and see how he felt and I was prepared to leave him out. But we decided he would start the game and see how he got on.

"So his performance was even better considering he wasn't feeling well. But I thought it was a good team performance and I could go through all the names. The team excelled as a whole."

Meanwhile, intrigue continues to surround the Rugby Park club after it was revealed that a potentially costly new code of conduct has forced the players to call in the union.

Fraser Wishart, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association Scotland, will meet again with Kilmarnock players who are objecting to the implementation of new disciplinary measures which could result in severe financial reprisals for yellow and red cards.

It is understood that a red card will cost the errant player 500, a sum of money which a source close to the dispute reportedly says is "highly unfair."

It is also understood that the non- negotiable aspect of the code of conduct has enraged the players as well as the unusual situation of it being implemented months after the season has started.

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies said: "The players are not unhappy.

"They understand that at any football club there does have to be a system for dissent or reckless challenges, quite rightly, because the club got fined last year and a lot of the bookings were for those reasons.

"That is standard practice at any football club but because there are one or two things in there – which I am not prepared to disclose – that they are not happy about, they are not prepared to sign so we are waiting to see what the union says."