The focus is on a United show, not Rice plight

DUNDEE United boss Micky Mellon has challenged his players to set the standard as they head for Premiership basement boys Hamilton Accies tomorrow.

Accies are fighting for their life in the top flight as the post-split season kicks-off at New Douglas Park.

United are relatively safe in eighth spot, with ambitions of snatching seventh and the bestof-the-rest crown from St Mirren.

Despite not having the pressure of relegation hanging over them, Tangerines gaffer Mellon has asked his troops to meet the demands of the club and put on a show.

“We have to be better than that and overcome,” he said when asked if they have to match Hamilton.

“Why can’t we be the ones who go down and drive the tempo and set the standards? We are fully aware of the importance of the game. It’s Dundee United and it’s another game. We are a team trying to be better all the time.

“This is another opportunity to do that and that’s what I keep saying to everybody – we have set a standard now that if we go below we don’t accept it.

“That’s the demands of the club.”

It’s the Terrors’ third trip to Accies’ patch this season with the way split fixtures have worked out.

They will also play Kilmarnock for the third time at Rugby Park later in the month.

Although he would rather have more home games, the schedule is something Mellon insists United just have to accept.

He added: “We have to go to Kilmarnock three times as well. It’s not done on purpose. Unfortunately, we have been the ones who have to go somewhere three times twice.

“You would like it to be that we get our fair share of home games but it’s probably just the way it’s landed. Every year someone is going to be a bit aggrieved. We all know the rules at the start of the season and you just have to get on with it.”

Mellon’s opposite number tomorrow, Brian Rice, had a pop at referees after Hamilton’s 3-0 Scottish Cup third-round loss to

Hamilton boss Brian Rice.