Hearts boss Robbie Neilson believes January will be a “big month” for his old club Dundee United.
The sides clash at Tynecastle tomorrow night and the former Tannadice defender is not being lulled into a false sense of security as a result of United’s lowly league position.
He said: “Dundee United are not a team that you expect to be bottom of the league so it is still a big game for us.
“Whenever Dundee United comes to Tynecastle it is a big game, no matter their league standing.
“It will be a full house and they have some good players so I don’t think there will be an issue of a comedown after the big game on Sunday.
“January will be a big month for United, depending on who comes in and out. Mixu will be looking to put his own stamp on the squad.
“They are having a difficult time at the moment. They are playing a different formation and it takes a wee bit of time to get settled into that but you see why he is doing it and the benefits it gives them.”
Neilson conceded that his game plan will be altered from the one used against Celtic on Sunday.
He said: “You still try to do the thing we work on all the time, the way we play football, but at home you would expect to have more of the ball against Dundee United than against Celtic.
“So we need to make sure we do a lot of work on what we are going to do when we get the ball as opposed to playing Celtic, when a lot of the time you are working on what you do when they have the ball.”
In the absence of suspended striker Juanma Delgado, who serves the second of a two-game ban against United, striker Gavin Reilly is set to be given another start.
The 22-year-old summer signing from Queen of the South was pleased with his performance against Celtic and is confident that his patience is ready to pay off.
He said: “It was a rare start for me but I thought I put in a good performance.
“I was always told when I was younger that good things come to those who wait.
“I am here for three years and I am prepared to wait but it was nice to play on Sunday.
“I made the step up in the summer and it is those sort of games you want to play in.
“I have always thought I was good enough to play, it was just waiting for that chance to come.
“Juanma is still suspended and if the manager still wants to go with two up front hopefully I will be given that shout.
“But whatever formation he wants to play, as long as I am contributing to the team I am happy.”