By Ian Roache

DUNDEE UNITED striker Jon Daly has discovered that patience really is a virtue as he tries to secure a place in the Tangerines’ team.

The Irishman scored a hat-trick against Cowdenbeath in the Co-operative Insurance Cup in midweek but even that goal glut has not guaranteed him a start when Kilmarnock come calling on SPL duty today.

No department of United’s team contains more competition than the forward line but Daly is determined rather than defeatist when it comes to fighting to stay in the side.

Manager Craig Levein faces a serious selection dilemma this afternoon, given that David Goodwillie also bagged a double at Central Park, while Warren Feeney, Roy O’Donovan and Francisco Sandaza played no part in the 5-1 win.

Daly just hopes to stay in his plans.

“I hadn’t been playing so it was good to get a run-out and scoring a hat-trick boosted the confidence,” he said.

“I guess I have given the manager some food for thought.

“He gave me the chance I had been waiting for and I think I took it. Now it is just a case of seeing whether I have done enough to get a game against Kilmarnock.

“The gaffer has signed some quality players: Warren Feeney is a full Northern Ireland international; Roy O’Donovan has been in Republic of Ireland squads; and Francisco Sandaza has set things alight since joining us.

“To be honest, though, I hadn’t thought too much about all these guys coming in because all I wanted to do was get my own pre-season under my belt.

“Anyway, we are all different types of striker who bring different qualities to the team.

“In that respect, I think the manager will look at the opposition and ask himself what is the combination that would most benefit us in any given match.

“I suppose we strikers are just going to have to be patient if we are not playing.

“You just have to take your chance when it comes along.”

The Tangerines have not set the heather on fire in the league yet.

By contrast, the Ayrshire men have made an impressive start to their campaign and have had four successive clean sheets.

However, the fixture still offers United a decent chance to kick on.

“We didn’t get off to the best of starts against Hamilton on the opening day but a point against Celtic was good and a draw at Motherwell wasn’t too bad, even though we had hoped to get all three points,” added Daly.

“I think a win against Killie could kick-start our season as there is a confidence among the lads.

“Scoring five goals the other night breeds confidence and that is what every team needs.”

Whether or not Daly starts after his midweek exploits manager Levein wasn’t saying, though he did admit he had been given food for thought.

“Everyone is fit and I’ve made my initial decision on the team based on the best players to play against Kilmarnock,” said Levein. “Whoever starts and does well will keep the jersey.”

Levein has watched Killie four times already this season and warns that no one should be fooled by the form the Ayrshire outfit showed last year.

“Last season was probably a blip for them because prior to that they were generally a top six team,” added the United boss.

“They are now round about back to what they would expect.

“Jim (Jefferies) and Billy (Brown) are very experienced and always have good teams.”

David Fernandez missed Killie’s midweek Co-operative Insurance Cup win against Brechin through suspension, but is likely to be back to face his old side today.

Allan Russell made his debut in midweek but is unlikely to be involved this weekend as he needs more reserve-team action to build his fitness.

Simon Ford faces a late fitness test on a thigh strain.

lÿFormer Dundee United defender David McCracken, now at Wycombe, could find himself in the middle of a transfer tug of war.

The 26-year-old is wanted by Craig Brewster at Inverness, and Motherwell are now weighing up a move for the former Tannadice man.