All Dundee United’s Christmases came at once on Saturday.
The combination of Ray McKinnon’s men beating St Mirren at Tannadice and Hibs drawing with Raith at Easter Road sent the Tangerines two points clear at the top of the Championship table.
United didn’t hit the heights in terms of quality against the Buddies but the result is what mattered and they deserve plaudits for battling back from going one goal down.
While scorers Scott Fraser and Simon Murray grabbed the headlines, special mention must go to big William Edjenguele at the back.
He made some crucial timely interventions to deny St Mirren and he increasingly looks to be one of the signings of the season by the Tannadice boss.
Overall, though, United showed that invaluable ability to grind out results when not at the top of their game and they are now 14 matches unbeaten.
It really is an incredible run the Tangerines are on. They should be full of confidence going to Dumbarton on Hogmanay and hopefully that will take them into the New Year on a high.
The first half of 2016 was obviously one to forget for everyone associated with the club but since McKinnon’s arrival, the turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable.
Considering the massive rebuilding job he has had to oversee, the manager deserves enormous credit for taking United to the top of the league.
Psychologically, it will be a huge blow to long-time leaders Hibs and the pressure is really on the Edinburgh side now.