I’M SO HUNGRY FOR SECONDS
CHAMPIONSHIP Spittal eyes hat-trick of wins to boost runners-up hopes BIG-MATCH PREVIEWS
BLAIR SPITTAL insists he can help fire Dundee United up to second spot – and has urged them to win their three remaining Championship games.
The Tangerines face in-form St Mirren at Tannadice today before welcoming Dumbarton to Tayside the following week and then finishing their campaign off in early May with a trip to rivals Morton.
Fit-again Spittal, who has recently recovered from an ankle injury which sidelined him for almost two months, wants to boost their promotion hopes by overtaking Falkirk who are just one point ahead in the table.
Spittal said: “I’ve come back in and played a lot of games especially after being out for two months.
“It was difficult because that was my first real injury in football.
“I played three games in a week which was hard but I’d rather play than not.
“However, it was really difficult coming back. The physio said it wasn’t an injury where it’s going to heal just like that.
“It’s going to take time. I’ll feel niggles in it but it’s about feeling more reassured about it.
“I feel now I am confident when I do get knocks on the ankle that I can take them.
“The play-offs are sorted but we have to try and get some consistency into our game.
“A couple of wins on the bounce would be nice especially going into the play-offs where confidence is key. We have three more difficult games coming up.
“They’re not going to be easy but we have to tackle them head-on and try to get the three points in each of those games.”
Spittal expects a tough afternoon from Jack Ross’ resurgent Buddies, who have rallied to haul themselves off the foot of the table.
The 21-year-old midfielder said: “St Mirren are the form team in the league. They’ve gone on a good run under their new manager.
“But we know we’re a good side at Tannadice. We’ve only been beaten there once all season.
“So we have to take that positivity and confidence into this game.”
Meanwhile, United manager Ray McKinnon hopes his promotion hopefuls can add a killer touch to their outfield play following last weekend’s 0-0 draw away to lowly Ayr United.
McKinnon said: “Our form has picked up again in recent weeks so we can go into this game with confidence.
“We have been working hard on taking our chances in training.
“We have created a lot over the last three games and could have taken nine points if we had taken all of our chances.
“But we’re good at home and this is a game that we’re looking forward to.”
United star Willo Flood returns from suspension for the visit of St Mirren to Tannadice.