Johnston wary of Tangerines

DUNFERMLINE manager Allan Johnston reckons it could be a good time to be playing Csaba Laszlo’s Dundee United but is still expecting tomorrow’ s visitors to be difficult opponents.

Asked about the Tangerines’ shock scoreline against Falkirk last weekend, the Pars boss said: “You’re surprised, because Dundee United have a lot of good players.

“They have strengthened their squad in January and brought in some good players, so I didn’t see that one coming to be honest, with Falkirk scoring so many goals.

“It just shows you that you can’t take anything for granted in this league.

“It is really difficult to predict t he scores and there is not much between the teams, even between the top sides and those near the bottom.

“If you are going to play United it is about trying to get them when they are on a poor run of results by their standards, compared to what they have been on, with St Mirren beating them as well. But they still have a lot of quality players, so we know it’ s going to be difficult.

“For example, they have brought in Craig Slater, who I know really well from my time at Kilmarnock, and he is a top young player as well.

“But it is at home and that should give us a big advantage, with the crowd we can bring and the atmosphere.”

As for the 10-match winless streak against the Tangerines, he added: “I do think we are due a result against Dundee United.

“They always seem to have the hoodoo over us, so, hopefully, we can put that right and get a result, especially at home as well.

“There’s not been much between the two teams but you’ve got to be at your very best to get a result against Dundee United.”

Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston.