Dundee United have received a boost with the news that Scott Robertson is set to make a quicker than expected return from an ankle injury.
The midfielder sat out United’s Europa League Slask Wroclaw games as well as Sunday’s SPL opener against Kilmarnock, but he could be fit to face Hearts this weekend.
The Scotland internationalist picked up his injury against Forfar in pre-season and was expected to be out for up to two months. But he has started running again and is scheduled to return to full training later this week.
If he suffers no reaction, boss Peter Houston will not hesitate to pitch him in against the Jambos.
“Scott has been back running and will be joining up with the rest of the lads later this week,” said the United boss. “So, if he comes through that okay, he will have a chance for Sunday’s game.
“Having the extra day will help, and if we do get him back it will be a boost because he is an experienced player.
“Gary Mackay-Steven’s ankle was swollen after the Killie game but the physio has had a look at him and thinks he will be fine. He is a young boy but has done well in the games he’s played so far.”
The SPL season may have only kicked off at the weekend but already most pundits are in agreement that, if United hope to finish third, they will have to overcome Hearts.
Jim Jefferies’ side performed well as they picked up a point at Ibrox on Saturday and the Tynecastle outfit have amassed a large squad which some have even tipped capable of splitting the Old Firm this season. However, Houston insists that he and his players are relishing their battle with the Edinburgh side.Resources”Hearts are very much the team everyone has to beat for third place,” he said. “With the squad Jim has put together and the resources at his disposal, then third is the minimum they should be finishing.
“It’s difficult to split the Old Firm but Hearts have a much bigger squad than the rest of us. Jim is a great manager, one of the most experienced in the SPL, and he has been able to put a really strong group of players together.
“Good luck to him with that. But on our day, we can beat them. We beat them the last twice we played and missed a penalty at Tynecastle in the final minute there last season.
“It is always a tough match down in Edinburgh but we will head down there to have a go. We have nothing to fear.”
Houston said he was delighted with the contribution of new signings John Rankin and Willo Flood so far and singled the pair out for praise. Both players have had problems in the last 12 months, with Rankin out of favour at Hibs and Flood coming back from injury. But Houston believes they are now ready to relaunch their careers at Tannadice.
“John Rankin has settled in really well and I thought he was our best player against Kilmarnock,” he said. “We knew all about the quality he would bring and I have been delighted with his fitness levels.
“The same goes for Willo Flood. The pair of them have not played much in the last year or so, but they look strong and I can only see them getting even better. John has settled in well with his new team-mates. He’s a great lad and we are delighted to have him here.”