Buddies will test Terrors

DUNDEE United assistant G ordon For rest says Saturday’s Scottish Cup trip to St Mirren is the perfect chance for the Tangerines to test their promotion credentials.

The Tangerines head to the Simple Digital Arena this weekend to take on last season’s Championship winners for a place in the quarter-finals.

And Gordon, who was appointed as head coach Robbie Neilson’s assistant earlier this month, says it’s an opportunity for the club’s new players to see how big the gap between the divisions is.

He said: “We’re looking forward to it – that’s where we want to be as a club and that’s the challenge we have to break through.

“It will be good for our players to see a Premiership team face to face.

“We’ll see what the outcome is but we believe in ourselves and it’s a very important weekend for us.

“There is obviously a difference between the leagues but we trust our boys – that’s why we brought them in here to try to take us that next step.

“We are really focusing on ourselves to get those results and we feel we have a good opportunity in this game.”

United brought in 11 new players over the January transfer window while the Buddies themselves made it to double figures with 10 fresh signings as they bid to avoid relegation.

That amount of new faces brings it’s own intrigue, according to Gordon but he’s backing the new boys in Tangerine to top the fresh faces in black and white come Saturday.

“St Mirren have good players, obviously there’s been a change in management there and they are trying to put their pieces together by bringing in a few faces themselves.

“It will be a good game, a very close and exciting game and there will be a little buzz with all the new faces.

“We are away from home so there is a bit of a challenge there for us but we are looking forward to the game.”

He added: “It’s great to get some new faces in and it adds competition to the squad but there’s also a good bit of experience that’s come into the group.

“There’s nothing better than a bit of competition for places, especially in the run in to the final part of the season.”

A Dundee United side full of new faces beat Greenock Morton 2-1 at the weekend to set themselves up for a Scottish Cup clash at Premiership St Mirren.

United assistant boss Gordon Forrest.