If Dundee United could overtake Hibs and win the Championship title it would be “a miracle” given the clubs’ summer starting positions, according to Tannadice boss Ray McKinnon.
Going into the top of the table Friday night clash between the division’s two big guns, McKinnon believes that his own team are in a healthier position than when they met at Easter Road earlier in the campaign.
And he is convinced that, whatever the outcome, United are a club on the up.
“We are a better team now than the last time we played Hibs,” he said.
“I think we’re stronger because we have come further. It was a new team but we’ve had a run of games now. I’m quite relaxed going into the game.
“Everyone has their fitness up. There is a better understanding because at that time we were a bit fragmented. The team has progressed because we’ve gelled better now and the partnerships are growing.
“When Hibs went out in front the way they did I wasn’t surprised. That was what I expected them to do.
“But now we’re going into this game just three points behind so that shows how we’ll we’ve done.
“Hibs are a massive club. They get 15,000 at their games. But their objectives are the same as ours. We both want to win promotion from this league. They are ahead of us in terms of where they are as a squad but I don’t think we’re too far behind them and we want to close that gap as quickly as possible.”
McKinnon, added: “Hibs can use the fact they’ve been in this league for a few seasons now as a motivation. They can use it as their leverage or it could be a weight of expectation on their shoulders and they might crumble.
“I don’t know. It’s only them who can deal with that. Only time will tell.
“I’m pretty certain their fans expect them to win the league but hopefully our fans are thinking the same way.
“Hibs are one of the strongest sides in the league and they are where they are because they are strong.
“From our point of view it’s about giving it everything we’ve got this season and matching our expectation levels. Get in the top four, get in the play-offs and get back in the Premiership.
“If we can win the league it would be a miracle given how we’ve had to turn the club around.
“We have players who are starting to hit form and we have to take on the challenge.”
Second v first, with an unbeaten home record going up against an unbeaten away one, will never lack for pre-match hype. And McKinnon believes the contest in front of a crowd over 10,000 can live up to it.
He said: “I’ve been asked if this will be a cagey game but the mentality here is that we want to win so we’ll set up to do that.
“There’s no point in us playing for a draw, we’re at home so let’s go and try to win the game.
“I think they’ll approach it the same. I can’t see a club like Hibs coming away from home and sitting in. So I think it will be a very open game.
“I’ve also been asked if this is a defining moment in the season, but it’s not for me. It’s important in terms of getting another three points and keeping the momentum going.
“But this is a new team built over the last six months so no matter whether we win, lose or draw on Friday night we’re moving in the right direction.
“We are further down the road than I expected to be right now but we are still minus a few things. I think we could do with another transfer window and probably a summer one as well to get this club really going and where we want to be.
“But I’m happy with the progress we’ve made since the start of the season.
“We are not even half-way through the league yet. So there’s plenty of football to go after this Friday.”
McKinnon, who has a full squad apart from Paul Dixon to choose from, has a potential matchwinner in Scott Fraser.
“Fraser has been outstanding,” he said. “His left foot is the best I’ve seen and for me he’s the best young player in Scotland.
“He’s frightening, I think he runs quicker with the ball at his feet than when he doesn’t.
“He missed two years with a bad leg break but he’s so talented, he’s six foot and can carry the ball. Scott could be a superstar, he’s starting to mature and he’s only 22. Because of his injury he slipped under the radar a bit but he’s some talent.
“I haven’t seen anyone in the country with his talent, his control of the ball. He has such a talent but he needs to add a few bits to his game and that’s what we’re working on.”
