Must-wins to help United, says Neilson

Gaffer Neilson says opponents all need to win so will open up more

Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson believes the Tangerines could benefit from their opponents facing “must-win” scenarios.

The Championship champions-elect took a massive step towards the title by beating second-placed Inverness Caley Thistle 2-1 at Tannadice on Friday night.

It was a fixture that saw the Highlanders forced to go for it in attack due to the importance of the contest, with United staying strong to take the crucial three points.

That opened the gap up to 21, only for ICT to take it back down to 18 by getting the better of Dunfermline on Tuesday in one of their two games in hand.

It still looks all over for the “chasing” pack but they all have a lot to play for, with the play-off places still to be decided.

In the mix are Inverness, Dundee, Ayr United, Arbroath, Morton and Dunfermline. That probably leaves Alloa, Queen of the South and Partick Thistle in the relegation fight.

Neilson’s men face the Pars at East End Park tomorrow, travel to Ayr on Tuesday and then welcome bottom club Thistle to Tannadice the following Saturday.

The United gaffer’s prediction is that all those sides will open up and have a go at United in order to try to take maximum points and, if so, then that will suit his players.

He said: “I expect the game at Dunfermline to be open.

“They are still chasing a play-off position so will be looking to win the match. When you play against teams and they just sit in, that is hard.

“We have all seen it when sides are sitting at the top of the league – sides camp in against you.

“That can happen so it is always difficult to get into the game. However, the next few games should be decent because they are against teams who will be looking to win.

“I still think everyone can beat everyone else. You just need to look at Arbroath and see how well they have done. Dunfermline are in the mix, too, so we will see what happens.

“It is going to be very tight. “When you look at the table, I think Dundee have recruited well in January and brought in experience.

“It would be good for the city (if both teams go up) and we do like the derbies.

“From a fan experience perspective it would be good but we have experience of the play-offs over the last few years and know how difficult they can be. However, we just need to concentrate on ourselves.

Historically, United have done well in away games against the Pars and have already beaten the Fifers twice this season.

Neilson revealed there are a couple of thousand reasons why his players relish the trip across the Tay. He said: “We have beaten them twice this season and, down there, Shanks scored a great header to start it off for us.

“The boys do enjoy going to East End because we always take a good crowd.

“There should be 1,500 to 2,000 fans there to cheer us on hopefully.

“It is also a good pitch for us in terms of the size and the quality of the surface.

“Dunfermline have seemed to win five on the bounce then lose five on the bounce.

“We had them watched on Tuesday night and it was a very tight game against Inverness. It could have gone either way.”

In line for a start against his former club is Paul McMullan, who came on as a sub against Inverness.

Neilson said: “It is good to get Paul back even if he started on the bench the other night.

“He just gives you an option with his pace – something that wee bit different.

“He has trained all week so will be available for the game on Saturday.”

United do have an injury doubt over midfielder Calum Butcher, who has a groin problem.

SNS. United attacker Paul McMullan is in line for a start against his former club.