United targeting derby win and European spot
Nicky Clark insists there is no chance of Dundee United settling for a point in today’s high-stakes derby against Dundee at Tannadice.
United are currently fourth inthepremiershipandadraw with their relegation-threatenedcityrivalswillguarantee theirplaceinthetopsixforthe post-split fixtures.
Although finishing in the top half is the immediate objective, striker Clark is adamantunited’sfocusisnowon boosting their hopes of securing fourth place and a return to European competition.
“We’re looking forward to it,“said Clark. “It’s a big game for both clubs. We’re looking to stay in fourth and Dundee have their own things going on down at the bottom of the league, so it’s a massive game.
“The top six is in our own hands, so it’s huge that we make that count. A draw would be enough, but we’re going out to win the game 100 per cent. We’re going for the three points. We want to stay where we are in the league because it’s so tight at the moment.
“At the start of the season we were looking at getting to the top six, but now we’ll not be happy with just getting into the top six, we want to push on and try to get this European spot.
“Thatwillbetough,because there’safewteamsgoingforit, but Saturday’s massive. If we get three points, it keeps us in fourth going into the postsplit fixtures.“
United have not finished in the top six since 2015 and Clark is determined to see them get a reward he feels they will have earned this season.
“It’sbeenatoughfightsofar,“hesaid.“wewereinthetopsix for the majority of the season, but fell out of it around about Christmas.
“There are only four points betweenfourthand10thposition, so it’s been very hard.
“We’ve worked hard to get ourselves into a decent position,butit’sdowntoustokeep going and make sure we get the top six.
“I think this club deserves to beinthetopsix,soifwecango and do it as a group, it will be great.itwouldalsobegreatfor the fans who come and back us all the time.
“I’m sure there will be a big crowd on Saturday, so it will be massive for the whole club if we can secure the top six.”
Mark Mcghee is hopeful this can prove a pivotal weekend in Dundee’s fight to avoid relegation.
The Dark Blues are six pointsadriftofstjohnstoneat the bottom of the table ahead of their trip to Tannadice.
With Saints travelling to on-form league leaders Celtic at the same time, Mcghee senses a chance for his team to try to eat into the deficit and revive their ailing survival hopes.
"It’s an opportunity and the opportunity presents itself because of who St Johnstone are playing," said Mcghee.
"St Johnstone go to Celtic andthat’saverydifficultgame for them.
“I’m not writing them off, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if St Johnstone go there and get something, but we’re hoping they don’’t, because we need that.
“Three points (against United)wouldgetuswithintouching distance of St Johnstone if they don’t win at Celtic and would also help from the point of view of the optimism it would engender going into the last five games.
“Ifwecanbeatdundeeunited away, it would give us the belief that we can do anything after the split.”