Football Nostalgia: Mighty McCluskey tames the Terrors

Hibs, who had won only once in 22 starts at Tannadice in the Premier League, made two changes, John Collins and Joe Tortolano coming in for the suspended Gordon Hunter and the departed Mickey Weir, who had left for what proved to be a short stint at Luton. UEFA Cup finalists Dundee United were unchanged.

Tortolano, at left-back, quickly made his mark, receiving a lecture from the referee for three robust tackles in as many minutes. Hibs had the best early chance, a poor John Holt header falling to George McCluskey, but the Hibs striker hit the ball into the side netting when he should have done much better.

New boy Neil Orr was heavily involved, tidying up at the back and controlling the midfield and Hibs had another chance after only seven minutes when Andy Watson picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and fired in a fierce shot which keeper Billy Thomson parried. There was another anxious moment for United when John Collins robbed Paul Hegarty of the ball on the edge of the six-yard box but the youngster's shot again found the side netting.

Hibs' defence had looked shaky under pressure in the early moments and Kevin Gallacher almost found the net with a looping shot after a mistake in the Hibs back four. Hibs had their fans singing by continuing to take the game to United and they had two clear-cut chances to break the deadlock. The first came after 23 minutes following a long clearance from Rough.

David Narey misjudged the bounce and the busy McCluskey controlled the ball before firing in a crisp shot which forced a fine save from Thomson who had moved smartly off his line.

A minute later, an Andy Watson header drifted only inches over following a deep corner from Paul Kane.

McIntyre was booked for a foul on Paul Sturrock after 26 minutes but five minutes later there was joy for Hibs who went in front after 31 minutes thanks to the shooting power of Watson.

His right-foot firecracker beat Thomson all ends up and raged into the top corner from just inside the penalty box. And Hibs breathed again when United had a goal ruled out for offside. Eamonn Bannon robbed Tortolano. and pushed the ball to Ian Ferguson lurking just inside the box and he lobbed the ball over Alan Rough and into the net.

The visitors were relieved, however, when they noticed that the far side linesman had his flag aloft to indicate that Kevin Gallacher had been in an offside position. United came out buzzing in the second half and equalised after 55 minutes when Hegarty scored from a McPhee cross.

Gutsy Hibs refused to buckle though and they were back in front thanks to a magnificent solo goal in 61 minutes, McCluskey beating two defenders before rifling in a right-foot shot.

United brought on David Bowman for Holt. They withdrew McPhee from midfield into the left-back berth and pushed Maurice Malpas into midfield.

There were a few anxious moments for the visitors. Ferguson came closest, firing just wide from 12 yards when in good position.

Dundee United: Thomson, Holt, Malpas, McPhee, Hegarty, Narey, Ferguson, Gallacher, Bannon, Sturrock, Redford. Subs: McLeod, Bowman.

Hibs: Rough, McIntyre, Mitchell, May, Chisholm, Collins, Kane, Orr, McCluskey, Watson, Tortolano. Subs: McBride, Sneddon.