Dundee United boss Peter Houston has praised city rivals Dundee for finally settling into the SPL.
When the two clubs met in the first derby of the season at Tannadice back in August, the Dark Blues were struggling to adapt to life in the top flight after their dramatic summer promotion caused by the demise of Rangers.
The Dens men started the game well but three first-half goals from the Tangerines meant there was never any real doubt over the outcome.
Since then, though, the basement boys have racked up some eye-catching results, drawing away to Motherwell and beating Edinburgh duo Hearts and Hibs at home.
They also comfortably negotiated a tricky-looking Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Livingston on Saturday and the improvement has not gone unnoticed on the other side of the street.
”Dundee have recovered really well,” said Houston.
”They have had several good results. They drew away to Motherwell, beat Hearts which we never managed to do and defeated Hibs.
”So they have done well against form teams. Credit to them for that.
”It just reiterates the fact that they will be dangerous opponents on Sunday.
”The match may be getting played just up the road but it is never easy going away from home in the SPL. Our away form has been decent, though, so we will be confident.”
Houston singled out his opposite number, Barry Smith, for a pat on the back.
”I think he has done a really good job,” said the Tannadice gaffer.
”It came late for him, when they were confirmed as Club 12.
”You have to give the players credit, too, because they have gelled together.
”One thing they did do in the first game against us early in the season was work really hard. We got the goals and the breaks at the right time.
”So we know we are going to have a tough match and we know that if we are to get anything from this game we will need to be at our best.”
Perhaps surprisingly given the 3-0 scoreline, Houston argued that the previous derby was still a difficult test for his players.
”I didn’t think it was that comfortable for us,” he said.
”I thought Dundee played really well in the first half but we ended it 3-0 up.
”It was a strange game in that respect.
”Their winger, Nicky Riley, had a double chance early on and maybe if he had scored that one it would have been a different kettle of fish for us.
”While we won comfortably in the end as regards the scoreline, I don’t think it was an easy game by any manner of means.
”I also don’t believe we were at our best that day and I don’t think we were at our best in the pre-season friendly, either.
”But we have been playing really well in games recently, albeit we have gifted teams goals in the league.
”So we have to start the game well on Sunday.”