Dundee United midfielder Willo Flood has revealed how the Tangerines are following a step-by-step guide as they plot a path to Europe.
The weekend’s results put United in with a real chance of catching Motherwell and claiming the third-place finish that is likely to earn the chance of Champions League qualification next season as a result of administration-hit Rangers’ probable exclusion from continental competition.
However, the message that is coming out of Tannadice, loud and clear, is that they are not going to get swept up in the excitement of that tantalising prospect.
Instead, their strategy going into the last four matches of the campaign will be simple and straightforward.
”We have not really been thinking about the Champions League,” said Flood. ”What we have been doing is setting ourselves goals, meeting those targets then moving on to the next thing.
”First off it was to get on a good run to get ourselves up the league, and we have achieved that. ”Then it was to get into the top six in the SPL, and we got there despite some people writing us off.
”We then went to St Johnstone on Saturday there and our aim was to beat them. We were the better team on the day and got into fourth spot and now sit two points ahead of them.
”Our next task is to win at home to Hearts this coming Saturday and put a nice gap between us and them (a United victory would make it seven points with three games to go).
”We have had a good record against Hearts, despite not always playing that well, and I suppose they may have one eye on the Scottish Cup final against Hibs.
”It would be great if we could get clear of St Johnstone and Hearts first off then after that we could hopefully look forward to an exciting end to the season. We would be looking to kick on.”
Flood still makes the Steelmen favourites to hang on to that third spot.
”I would still say Motherwell are sitting there in a comfortable position,” he said. “I would rather be in their shoes than ours. They have had a good season and a good manager and I am sure they think they can keep it going.
”What would be nice is if we can go into the final game down at Motherwell with something to play for. That should be our main aim.”