Dundee United’s players believe Nadir Ciftci is the best frontman in Scotland at the moment.
That was the bold statement made by the Turk’s teammate Paul Paton after watching Ciftci smash home his 14th goal of the season to give the Tangerines a vital victory over Hearts.
United’s 2-1 success over the relegation certainties on Friday night kept alive their slim hopes of catching third-placed Motherwell and second-top Aberdeen, with the gap going back to seven points the following day thanks to Well’s win over Ross County and the Dons’ victory over Kilmarnock.
All United can do in the run-in is keep tucking away the wins and hope one or other of that pair slip up, with their next test at home to Inverness Caley Thistle on Wednesday.
Others may be more prolific than Ciftci the likes of Stevie May (St Johnstone), Kris Commons (Celtic) or Kris Boyd (Kilmarnock) but Paton and his colleagues would rather have their man in their team than anyone else.
“We feel, quite honestly, that there is no striker in the league that we would rather have in our side than Nadir it’s as simple as that,” said Paton.
“We are very thankful that we have him. He has been fantastic from pre-season onwards. He is a big, physical boy but fast with it, is good in the air and has a good touch, and he scores goals.
“The sky is the limit for him. He is a good asset for the club and we are just lucky to have him. He has had setbacks in his career but has come through that and been unbelievable for us.”
Paton may think his mate is the best there is in the country but he did have one jokey criticism of Ciftci.
“It’s funny but he seems to be even better when the TV cameras are there!” said the smiling Northern Ireland squad man.
“He always seems to score in those games. During the Hearts match his flicks and tricks weren’t quite coming off for him but he still popped up and hit the ball into the top corner. He has that type of thing in his locker.
“That is what he is all about. He is only 22 years old and he can go on and be anything he wants to be.”
United will be able to call upon Ciftci against ICT but will then lose him for a one-game ban when they play Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday. The same goes for full-back Andy Robertson.
They have doubts over Gary Mackay-Steven and Keith Watson for the midweek game.
Both missed the Hearts match, with illness ruling out Mackay-Steven and injury keeping Watson on the sidelines.
Manager Jackie McNamara said: “Unfortunately GMS was ill before the game and Keith picked up an injury.
“Hopefully, they will be OK because we have a big week coming up, with Inverness at home and then a trip to Aberdeen.”