Tangerines must get out of blocks quicker ahead of huge derby

Dundee United’s league wins have come in all shapes and sizes this term. There have been plenty of them – 15 to be exact – as we pass the halfway mark of a campaign that will surely end with the Tangerines being crowned champions of the Championship and return to the promised land of the Premiership.

Victories have been numerous but perhaps none quite like Saturday’s 4-0 win over Ayr United at Tannadice.

That is because until they scored through Sam Stanton on 42 minutes United were a distant second-best to the opposition.

In that oddly flat first half lies a warning for the derby. Start as badly again and Dundee could punish them on Friday.

The Tangerines, though, then turned the match on its head in a manner that should provide confidence and optimism for the clash against their city neighbours.

By the end, they had scored again through Lawrence Shankland’s penalty, Nicky Clark’s fine finish and an absolute belter of a shot from Ian Harkes.

To be so bad then so good in the same game is some achievement.

However, let’s remember that the side they fired four past without reply were, until relatively recently, considered serious title rivals and are one of only three teams to beat them in the league this season.

The United players are targeting club records here, there and everywhere and will be looking for an incredible 10th straight league win in the derby.

It actually sounds churlish to criticise the Tangerines when they sit 13 points and 22 goals better off than their “nearest rivals” Inverness Caley Thistle.

In this division, it is winning – and winning alone – that counts. Just like a big, cheery, tangerine Santa Claus, United have delivered this Christmas.