Ideal gift for Canning

Legendary keeper urges Utd and Hibs to have a go

any of the teams. Morton and QOS are decent sides and, although Dunfermline have struggled, they are no pushovers.”

Saying that, Hamish feels the Tangerines have every reason to be upbeat heading into the game.

“United have gone 10 games unbeaten, so confidence must be high but it’s important to turn the draws into wins. Three points are massive.

“Goals win games and United have to find the right partnership up front.

“I’ve liked what I’ve seen of Tony Andreu and I thought Cammy Smith did well earlier in the season, although he hasn’t been in the team so much of late

“But Ray (McKinnon) works with the players day in and day out, so he knows what the right combination should be on the park. “He has a big squad to choose from. “Hibs will be up for it because they are top and are playing the team in second.

“They know they can extend the gap to six points. Neil Lennon is a fiery type and he’ll have his men prepared.

“United will have to show they have the desire to win.

“I’m sure everyone at United would rather get promotion by winning the league than having the pressure of going through the play-offs.

“That’s a route that has proved difficult for Championship sides over the years.” HAMILTON manager Martin Canning admits his ideal birthday present would be an elusive three points.

Accies have drawn six out of their last eight games and Canning is desperate to secure victory when his team host Partick Thistle on his 35th bir thday on Saturday.

The Lanarkshire side have lost a lead in nine matches this season and Canning is chasing a third win i n t he Premiership when they host Thistle, who are one point further back in bottom place.

Canning said: “I would take t hree points over anything. They are so important just now when the league is so tight. Look at Dundee, they were

Martin Canning bottom and won three out of four and have kicked themselves right up there. “It’s so important to put together a run where we are continually picking up three points. “That’s something we are looking to do and that starts on Saturday.”