Jon Daly is hoping Dundee United and European football can be a marriage made in heaven so he can enjoy his role at the wedding of his pal Danny Grainger.
Daly and Tangerines team-mate Craig Conway will be ushers when Grainger and his fiancee Heather Hope tie the knot in the summer.
The Irishman is expecting to get ordered about at the service by his former Tannadice colleague but wants to be in charge tonight when the teams meet at McDiarmid Park.
United are in fantastic form, having beaten Rangers, Motherwell and Hibs on the bounce, while the Perth men achieved one of their best-ever results a 4-1 thrashing of the league-leading Light Blues last time out.
The visitors are aiming to clinch third spot and the Europa League place that comes with it, while the hosts still have hopes of a top-six finish with Hearts just three points ahead in sixth.
“I am an usher at the wedding along with Craig and no doubt Danny will be bossing me about,” said Daly, who was on target from the penalty spot in that eye-catching 4-2 win at Hibs.
“However, that is the only time he will be telling me what to do.Bragging”Hopefully, I will be able to boss him about during the match and give him a bit of a hard time. Then I would have the bragging rights ahead of the wedding.
“It will be a big game for both clubs because they had a great result, beating Rangers, so will be flying because of that,” the front man added.
“Few people would have predicted that scoreline and I don’t think Rangers would have expected that.
“They have a lot to play for and so have we but we are hoping to be the ones that come out on top.”
Daly has taken the opportunity on occasion to watch Saints and back his buddy so knows how well they have done in their first season back in the SPL.
“I have watched Saints play a few times when I have not been playing myself just to see how Danny was doing,” said the Dublin-born striker.
“They always play some good stuff. I saw them win 5-1 against Hibs and it could have been even more.
“So we will need to be at the top of our game if we want to win.”
At the top of their game is exactly where the Tangerines have been and they can rightly claim to be the form team in the league just now.
Daly paid tribute to the role played by the manager Peter Houston in making the season one of such promise.Continuity”We said all along when Craig Levein left that we wanted Houstie for the job,” declared Daly.
“He brings continuity and, of course, he has his own ideas.
“Bringing in Paul Hegarty as coach has also given the place a big lift.
“So we are delighted it is going so well for Houstie and let’s hope that continues.”
United have Dixon and Danny Cadamarteri back in their squad.
Saints will be without the suspended Murray Davidson but Kevin Rutkiewicz is added to the squad.
Midfielder Paul Sheerin turned an ankle in training on Saturday but is expected to make it.CompensationMeanwhile, the Tangerines have agreed a compensation package with Lee Wilkie after the former Scotland defender was forced to quit the game.
Boss Houston paid a warm tribute to the 29-year-old.
“There is no doubt that Lee was one of the best centre halves in Scottish football and, in my opinion, during last season he was the best bar none.
“He has fought back from injury with great courage in the past and it is equally courageous of him to finally accept the advice now given.
“The club has always been supportive of Lee and I’m pleased that matters have been agreed between him and the chairman.
“He will always be welcome at the club and we hope to see him and his family around Tannadice on a regular basis.”