Dundee United enjoy a greater advantage at the top of the Championship than Hearts did at the same stage of their title-winning season.
Comparisons are beginning to be made between the campaigns that were both led by manager Robbie Neilson, first at Tynecastle in 2014-15 and then Tannadice this time around.
The reason is not just the Neilson link but the commanding 13-point lead the Tangerines now boast over second-placed Inverness Caley Thistle with 17 league matches played.
After the same number of games five years ago, the Jam Tarts were “just” 12 points clear of nearest rivals Rangers.
However, where they do score over United is that they were unbeaten at the time and their points total was a massive 47, while the Tangerines have lost three times and “only” racked up 42 points.
Hearts, of course, went on to clinch the automatic promotion slot at a canter, finishing 21 points ahead of runners-up Hibs.
The Edinburgh side also managed to string nine wins together, while United’s 1-0 victory over Arbroath was their eighth in succession.
The Tangerines will aim to match that amazing run when their campaign reaches the halfway mark with Ayr United’s visit Tannadice on Saturday.
