United eye League Cup progression

A WIN over Dunfermline in their final Betfred Cup group tie on Sunday is certain to see Dundee United through to the knockout stages.

United and Inverness Caley Thistle are currently tied at the top of Group C on seven points and, even if the Highlanders chalk up a bigger winning margin when they host Arbroath tomorrow to top the group on goal difference, any win over the Pars guarantees progression.

That’s because the f our best runners-up from the eight groups go through with the winners to join the teams competing in Europe in the draw for the second round.

Wins for both United and ICT this weekend would leave them on 10 points, and would be more than any other second-placed team — with the exception of Alloa and Raith Rovers in Group D — can potentially amass.

If they can win their group, Ray McKinnon’s men would be in with a chance of being among the seeded teams for the next stage.

As European qualifiers Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs have already been confirmed as seeds and they will be joined by the four group winners with the best records.

For Ray, just qualifying would represent an encouraging start to his reign and the perfect preparation for the start of league hostilities when Queen of the South visit Tannadice next weekend.

While a challenge for promotion in the Championship is comfortably the No 1 priority for this season, over the past couple of weeks Ray has repeatedly stressed he views the knockout competitions as important.

“I have been keen to give as many players as I can game time because we want to be ready for the league, the League Cup matters as well and we want to go as far as possible.

“The games so far have been a good test for us and the players have done well and looked sharper with each one.”

Dunfermline head for Tannadice licking their wounds after a 5-1 home drubbing at the hands of Inverness on Tuesday night but knowing a win for