Dundee United striker Osman Sow believes they are coping just fine with the pressure of the play-offs.
The Tangerines head into tonight’s Premiership semi-final second leg against Inverness Caley Thistle at Tannadice holding a 1-0 lead.
With that advantage comes expectation that they will finish the job and get through to face either Hamilton Accies or St Mirren in next week’s final.
Victory tonight would mean they could be only a tantalising two games away from the top flight and United fans will turn out in their thousands this evening hoping and praying that they have enough to keep ICT at bay.
Sow thinks they do and insists the players are embracing the demands placed on them by both the supporters and manager Robbie Neilson.
The former Hearts frontman said: “We are in good spirits and looking forward to this match.
“I believe in the squad, staff and the club.
“We just need to keep our heads down, work hard and hopefully we will get what we want, which is the club back in the top flight where it belongs.
“I believe in what we do.
“There is obvious pressure but we need it and that is good for us.
“We must embrace the moment and to enjoy the challenge.
“As long as we stick together as a team and everyone believes in what we are doing then anything is possible.
“We have been playing well so I hope we are peaking at the right time.
“We just have to go out there and believe.
“We have to approach it as if we want to win every challenge and every ball.
“If we do that and play to our potential then I believe it can be a successful couple of weeks for the club.
“I came to Dundee United to help to get back into the Premiership and hopefully we can do that.”
Sow showed up well at times in the first leg at the Caledonian Stadium on Tuesday night but also struggled at times, too, and was replaced by substitute Nicky Clark after 68 minutes.
Clark helped turn the match in the Tangerines’ favour but Sow is still likely to play a part tonight, especially with Pavol Safranko having suffered from a virus.
Sow said: “It has been stop-start for me but I am feeling good.
“Hopefully, I can help the team.
“I feel fresh and I don’t want to give any excuses.”
Sow is hoping for a better outcome than the last time he experienced play-off football back home in Sweden.
He recalled: “I was involved in a play-off decider many years ago.
“It was with Vasby United at the end of the 2010-11 season in Sweden.
“We played against FK Varnamo but lost both legs and failed to win promotion back into the Superetten.
“We didn’t get through but in fairness we had a very young team and it was a good experience.
“It is in the past and hopefully this time there can be a better outcome.
“Nobody expected Vasby to reach the play-offs but, of course, know there is pressure on Dundee United to get through.
“I think we are dealing with that pressure pretty well.”
Sitting in the opposition dugout tonight will be John Robertson, a mana Sow knows well from his time at Hearts.
He said: “He is a good guy and I wish him all the best – almost!
“He was working in the commercial department at Tynecastle and passed on a few stories but I can’t tell you those – they are confidential!
“He is an experienced man and knows his football so it wasn’t really a surprise when he became a manager again.
“He has done well at Inverness and he will have them well organised and we know we will have to play well to get through.”
As well as a question mark over Safranko, who looked sluggish in the first half on Tuesday and didn’t reappear after the break, there are doubts over midfielder Peter Pawlett, who took a heavy knock when fouled by ICT defender Coll Donaldson. Calum Butcher suffered a cut during the game but should be OK.
