Gruelling schedule holds no fears for United full-back in promotion bid

On-loan United star aims to go into play-offs on a high

The condensed schedule awaiting Dundee United if they are to go all the way in the Premiership play-offs may appear daunting to some.

But for Anthony Ralston, it is exactly what he’s looking for.

The on-loan Celtic full-back came to Tannadice to get plenty of game-time, and he hasn’t been disappointed.

Ralston has clocked up 10 appearances since arriving in March, with barely a spare midweek, and is hoping to make that seven more.

A home clash with Livingston this afternoon will end the regular Championship season and after that United will be straight into the play-offs, with the possibility of six matches in 20 days.

It’s a prospect that isn’t fazing the young defender.

“From a personal point of view this is exactly the situation I want to be in,” he said. “It’s ideal.

“I came here to get game-time and experience and that’s what’s been happening over the last few weeks. Hopefully there are seven games left for me to play in and we get promoted.

“Guys will have felt tired with all the games we’ve played recently and we’re coming towards the end of the season.

“But this wee break without a game in midweek will help us recharge.”

Loan signings can be hit and miss, as United fans know only too well, but Ralston definitely deserves to be put into the hit category. And he believes there is improvement still to come.

“I got off to a good start at Celtic,” he recalled. “An injury set me back but I’m enjoying playing football again. “I just want to keep it going. “I feel like I’m getting rhythm now. My fitness is good. I’m in good shape and I want to keep showing what I can do in a football sense. I still feel like I have more left to show.”

There will be bigger games to come for United than today’s but that doesn’t mean the players will lose focus against Livi, Ralston insisted.

“Motivation won’t be a problem,” he said. “I think it’s important we get third.

“We have to treat every game from now on as if it’s our last. We have to get into that mentality, starting on Saturday.

“If we win the confidence will be boosted and we can go into the play-offs on a high.

“I’ve only played against Livingston once in an Irn-Bru Cup game for the under-20s.

“The last game for us here (a 2-1 defeat) was just before I came, I think.”

It is not a case of out of sight, out of mind for Ralston as far as his parent club is concerned.

“They are good at keeping in touch with boys who go out on loan,” he said.

“I do a bit of gym work there and keep in regular contact. Scouts and coaching staff keep in touch and I speak to them face to face as well.

“They send people to watch me so I know I need to perform in every game.

“It’s good to be involved in these high profile play-off games, especially if we get to the final.

“We’ve shown how good we can be against the likes of St Mirren and Falkirk. We just have to cut out the mistakes going into the next few games.

“You saw what we can do up front when we scored five at Brechin.”

Paul McMullan and Mark Durnan will miss out this afternoon and are already doubts for next week’s play-off first leg.