Personally, it was certainly a day to remember for Rachid Bouhenna against Falkirk.
He was handed his first start since the end of last month, helped the Tangerines keep a clean sheet and just to put the icing on the cake, opened his goal-scoring account for the club.
However, the 27-year-old centre-half insisted all that ultimately mattered was that United won for the third game in a row to keep momentum building as they prepare for next month’s crunch promotion play-offs.
Robbie Neilson’s side were already cemented into second spot in the Championship table before Saturday’s game but they were determined no-one would be taking their foot off the gas against a Bairns team fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.
United stormed into the lead in the 15th minute when Paul McMullan swung a corner in from the right with Bouhenna directing a header past Falkirk keeper Harry Burgoyne and into the back of the net from six yards.
The home side were well on top and bombarded the Falkirk goal before doubling their advantage in the 25th minute.
Pavol Safranko laid the ball on a plate with a cutback from the left of the Falkirk box into the path of McMullan who steered a low shot into the corner of Burgoyne’s net for his third goal in as many games.
Falkirk did hit the woodwork before half-time and made a better fist of things in the second 45 but the Tangerines comfortably saw out the game and now only have next week’s trip to Morton to negotiate before the play-offs begin.
Bouhenna said: “We have to remain professional as the most important games are coming.
“So we have to keep playing well and keep winning which is what we did.
“It was a very tough game as Falkirk were playing to stay in the Championship.
“So it was not easy but we have won and also kept a clean sheet which is good for the confidence ahead of the play-offs.
“It was great to be back in the team. I am working hard and I am ready when the coach needs me.
“I think I proved today that I can play. I am feeling good so if needed, I am there for the team.
“It was also my first goal for the club so I am very happy about that but the most important thing was the win because as I said the big games are coming.”
United have now put together a four-game unbeaten run, with the draw against champions Ross County being followed by victories over possible play-off opponents Ayr and Inverness as well as Saturday’s three-pointer.
And Bouhenna believes everything is coming together at exactly the right time for the club.
He added: “Yes, it is. We tried to play good football against Falkirk and I think we did that in the first half.
“The second half wasn’t as good but we have managed to rest some players and still get the win.”
Bouhenna also revealed that the players had spoken among themselves to ensure there would be no let-up in the last two games of the regular season against the Bairns and Morton.
He said: “It is difficult but we have to keep our focus.
“We know we are in second and no-one can take that from us.
“But we talked together before the Falkirk match and said we would treat it like a play-off game, giving 100%.
“We just want to win every game.”
United boss Robbie Neilson admitted he was delighted with another win and the amount of chances his team created.
However, he is still looking for his players to be more clinical in front of goal.
He said: “I thought first half we played really well and if we had come in 4-0 or 5-0 up I don’t think there would have been any arguments about it.
“But you always know that at 2-0 there is that wee edge to the game, knowing that one goal makes a big difference.
“Second half wasn’t to the levels we had first half but the game was kind of dead by then anyway.
“I was delighted with the chances we created but I would have preferred we had taken more of them.”
