Dundee United hero served up Partick Thistle jibes but hat-trick hero Kevin Holt laughs last

Jim Goodwin believes Kevin Holt is destined to shine on a bigger stage for Dundee United after the hat-trick hero silenced the Firhill boo-boys.

The defender joined United from the Jags in the summer and stunned his old club with the first treble of his senior career to send unbeaten United four points clear at the top of the Championship. Along with fellow ex-Jag Ross Docherty, Holt received predictable abuse from the home fans. But after Craig Sibbald gave United a slender half-time lead, Holt had the last laugh as Goodwin’s side ran riot after the break.

The United boss said: “Coming back to your old club isn’t easy. Kevin and Doc got a bit of stick, which is natural. I’d just call it football banter more than anything. They probably just wish they were still playing for their team. I don’t want to put too much pressure on Kevin but I think he’s one of the most underrated centre-halves in the country. I’ve brought Kevin to the club not just to play in this league, where he’s played the majority of his career, but for the long term if we achieve our main objective of winning promotion.

“In my opinion Kevin would stroll it in the Premiership. Defensively he’s brave and organised but he also chips in with valuable goals.”

Goodwin was thrilled with his team’s display in front of United’s American owner Mark Ogren who saw them win for the first time since the 1-0 Europa Conference League success over Alkmaar in August last year. Goody said: “He hadn’t seen us win in 14 months. I did have that in the back of my mind and when the goals started going in, I was really pleased for him.”

Jags keeper Jamie Sneddon turned a Glenn Middleton shot behind, although he really should have scored. But the winger made amends with from the