WATO KUATE admits he was GLAD when Dundee United failed to win promotion.

The Portuguese midfielder believes it was payback for his treatment when he was told his services were no longer required by manager Ray McKinnon after a bust-up with team-mates during the first leg of United’s play-off final with Hamilton.

2 Kuate didn't last long at United Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

After United lost the return to stay down, the 21-year-old said: “I couldn’t be sad. It would be a big lie if I said that. Hamilton deserved it. It is not only about ability. They were more united.

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“It is all about team spirit. They showed more fight than United. Hamilton are the kind of team I wished I played for.

“They play football, they have some good young players and there is no doubt they deserved their win.

“I don’t know much about their manager but they had spirit and desire.”

Kuate, who played in United’s first five play-off matches, believes he’d have made all the difference in the second leg at the SuperSeal Stadium had McKinnon kept faith with him.

He said: “When I was watching the game I was blaming myself. I said ‘Wato, you are bigger than that. You can rise above the provocation’.

“I believe if I was playing I could make the best game of my life. My legs were shaking because I knew I could help Dundee United.

2 United boss told Kuate he wasn't needed anymore after bust-up Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

“I watched the game and kept thinking: ‘Wato, if only you were there, if only you were there’.

“This is life and I learn from it. I am still young and I have a long career in front of me.

“This will only make me stronger and stronger.

“And if my team-mate tries to provoke me in the future I will ignore it and move on.”

Kuate feels that McKinnon made him the scapegoat for United's loss in the play-off final.

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