Dundee United manager Peter Houston has set his players the target of surpassing last year’s points total.
The Tannadice club amassed 63 on their way to a third-place finish in 2009/10, and they would need nine from their last four games to better it.
Houston knows it’s a big ask, with the daunting trip to Celtic Park next up on Sunday and a visit to Ibrox to follow, but that’s what he wants them to strive for.
The Tangerines boss said, “We don’t give two hoots who wins the league, all we are concerned with is finishing as high up the table as we can with Dundee United.
“We have 55 points at the moment and would love to beat last year’s total of 63.
“It is going to be difficult because we have some hard games coming up but if we can it would be a great achievement considering the problems we’ve encountered this season.”
Whatever goals Houston has for his own team, he knows that the weight of expectation on their shoulders will be nothing compared to that on Neil Lennon’s men on Sunday.Pressure on HoopsHe said, “All the pressure is on Celtic. That’s not me saying it to create paper talk it’s a fact.
“We can go there and play with a free spirit and see where it takes us.
“But we will be coming up against a team who are a great side.
“We have been there plenty of times in the past thinking we can win and we’ve been hammered.
“On other occasions we’ve gone there and done really well. I am looking for a similar performance to the one we produced the last time.”
Houston added, “Every player should look forward to playing at Parkhead and Ibrox because they are great stages to play on.
“With Celtic going for the title the atmosphere will be great.
“If we go there and produce a decent performance we will have a chance.”