The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tangerines focused and prepared for battle in promotion push
Midfielder says Tangerines won’t be thinking about anything except trying to beat Queen of the South
Sam Stanton insists Dundee United won’t be letting their minds wander today when they take on Queen of the South.
The play-off permutations are many and varied, with it still possible that the Tangerines can finish second, third, fourth or even out of contention altogether.
As well as United, second-placed Livingston, Dunfermline in fourth and fifth-placed Inverness Caley Thistle are all in the mix for the three available positions.
Livi take on relegated Brechin at home this afternoon, while the other two do battle in the Highlands.
Depending on how it all pans out, by full-time United could find themselves guaranteed a play-off spot and looking to catch Livi, or with both ICT and the Pars still capable of pipping them.
Given all the ifs and buts, it is perhaps just as well that Stanton claims the United players won’t be thinking about anything except trying to beat Queens.
Stanton, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Thursday, said: “It has been going quite well for us recently but we have always been capable of getting results like these and should have done so more often.
“It is good to be picking up form now as we look to confirm our place in the play-offs.
“We haven’t been looking too far forward, though. I think that has helped us over the last three games because it has all been about dealing with what is right in front of us.
“We haven’t been thinking about anything else – not about what games come next for us or the results of other teams. It has been about keeping our heads down and seeing where we are after each match.”
United finally turned chances into goals at Glebe Park on Tuesday when they beat Brechin 5-0.
Just as welcome, as far as Stanton was concerned, was the third consecutive clean sheet.
The former Hibs midfielder said: “We have been very good at the back recently so it was nice to also put our chances away.
“We have had plenty of opportunities in several games and not taken them so it was great to get five goals.
“We haven’t won by that big a margin for a very long time.
“Now it would be nice for me to celebrate my birthday with a goal.
“I will see what happens but it would be nice to give the fans a present.”
The Tangerines will be facing a Queens side that are clear of relegation trouble but out of play-off contention.
However, Stanton isn’t expecting United’s opponents to be on their holidays.
He said: “I don’t think it makes any difference where they are in the league.
“They are good professionals down there and will be very keen to win all of their remaining matches and finish as high up the table as possible.
“They won’t be taking their foot off the gas because there are always things to play for, be they contracts, win bonuses or whatever.
“They will be taking this game as seriously as they always do.”
Meanwhile, Queens boss Gary
Naysmith said: “It is our last game at Palmerston and it would be good to solve one of the biggest problems we have had this season, and that is winning there.
“We have done really well away from home but had too many draws in Dumfries.
“We won at Tannadice last month and won at Cappielow last weekend. In fact the only places we have not won in this campaign have been St Mirren and Inverness, but at home we have had goalless draws instead of wins.
“It is something I am aware of and will try and fix for next season,” he said.
“In the meantime it would be good to sign off with a win.
“Dundee United have plenty to play for but that was the same for Morton last week and we went out and won.
“The players deserve a lot of credit for that performance, and hopefully we will get the same level against United.”
“They are on a good run of three wins in a row and they appear to be reaching their potential at the right end of the season.
“They will be disappointed to not be winning the league but will want to finish second and as close to St Mirren as possible.”