The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Momentum key to United play-off push
Robson says Tangerines ready for run-in and have everything to play for
Dundee United full-back Jamie Robson has stressed the importance of carrying momentum into the promotion playoffs.
The Tangerines are odds-on to be involved in the season’s finale that will decide which team from the Championship battles it out with the secondbottom side in the Premiership for a topflight place.
If they can beat fifth-placed Queen of the South, who are currently 11 points behind them, at Palmerston this afternoon then Ray McKinnon’s men will be all but guaranteed their play-off spot.
They will then continue their threeway battle with Morton and Falkirk for the finishing positions, with the runnersup to champions-elect Hibs benefiting by playing two legs fewer than the other clubs.
That is United’s goal for what remains of the campaign and Robson is ready for it.
He said: “It will be a good run-in to the end of the season. We have seven games remaining in the regular season and I’m looking forward to them all.
“The play-offs are also just around the corner if we qualify.
“If we can get into second place then that would mean two fewer games in the play-offs so that’s important.
“You would be fresher than the other team.
“So we have everything to play for and I’m just hoping to be involved in every match and help the team out as much as I can.”
The Tangerines seem to have turned a bit of a corner after a terrible run in the league since Christmas Eve.
They beat St Mirren to clinch the IrnBru Cup last Saturday then followed that up with a dramatic 2-1 home victory over Ayr United on Tuesday night.
Robson added: “We got a great result against Ayr and that was exactly what we needed.
“We got a break at the end when Vinnie (Mark Durnan) and Murdo (Stewart Murdoch) blocked near the line but it was also good defending.
“I was also delighted for big Mark that he got the winner for us and it was some finish from him.
“We haven’t had much luck in the league recently so it was good to get a break and we’ll happily take it.
“What’s meant to be is meant to be and that was three good points in the bag for us.
“Hopefully, we can go down to Palmerston and get another three.
“Now we can push on and keep building momentum.
“It built on the Irn-Bru Cup final victory, which was important for us because it was a great moment for the players, fans and the club.
“Since then we have knuckled down in training and tried to get better.
“I think we are over that bad run now and we seem to be getting the ball down better and playing more football than we had been doing.
“When we pass the ball about and are fast, sharp and have a good tempo then teams can’t deal with us.”
Meanwhile, Murdoch is a doubt for today’s game.
Manager Ray McKinnon has rated his chances at no better than 50-50.
He said: “Stewart hurt his groin on Tuesday night and is struggling.
“He actually did it in the warm-up before we played Ayr but he managed to get through the 90 minutes.
“That’s typical of him because he’s an
excellent pro who always gives his best for the team.”
If Murdoch doesn’t feature, Lewis Toshney is his likely replacement at right-back.
Blair Spittal may return to the squad after featuring in the development side earlier this week.
McKinnon added: “Pits is obviously lacking match practice but as long as he doesn’t suffer a reaction to the game I might put him on the bench to give us another option.”