Airdrie Utd 2 - 6 Dundee Utd: Houston expects Russell to become ‘another Goodwillie’

Dundee United manager Peter Houston suggested Johnny Russell could go on to match David Goodwillie’s impact at the club after the striker scored a hat-trick in Saturday’s rout of Airdrie United in the William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round.

Russell has now netted six goals in United’s last six matches and Houston believes, should he continue to develop at his current rate, the club may have to cash in on him as they did with Goodwillie last summer by selling him to Blackburn.

“I’m delighted for Johnny,” said Houston. “I spoke to him before the game and said it is games like this that he should be looking to score more than once and he has done that.

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“Ever since he went up front in the second half against Inverness four weeks ago, he has done exceptionally well.

“In 18 months from now he could be another Goodwillie. At the moment he is still a bit away from that, but I feel if he keeps progressing there might come a stage where we find it difficult to hold on to him. He has a lot to learn, but he is a willing learner.”

Airdrie manager Jimmy Boyle may also struggle to hold on to his prolific striker, Ryan Donnelly.

The 20-year-old bagged both the Diamonds’ goals to take his tally for the season to 24 and Boyle reckons Donnelly can play at a higher level. “He has the ability,” Boyle said. “He is a natural finisher and you can see when he gets a chance he’s clinical. I thought he worked really hard in the first half and didn’t really get any joy, and for the first 20 minutes of the second half he wasn’t getting any service at all. But when you get the ball in the box he goes and scores.

“He knows he has to move onto full-time football to progress, but he is a great lad, a willing worker and is in no rush to leave. Hopefully we’ll hold on to him until at least the end of the season.”

Boyle was pleased with how his side started, but admitted the visitors’ quality in the final third told in the second-half.

“I thought we started well,” he said. “We hit the bar and created some chances, but they have quality when they go forward at pace. The first two goals by their central midfield players (John) Rankin and (Scott) Robertson taught us a lesson in off-the-ball running and finishing.

“Second half, they showed what a good team they are. We gave the ball away cheaply at times but they punished us strongly.”