Mark Wilson believes Dundee United’s rampant run of form means they are now being treated with the same amount of fear and respect as one of his former sides Celtic.
Ross County arrived at Tannadice last Saturday determined to contain and frustrate the life out of the Tangerines and their fans.
However, Jackie McNamara’s side just kept going and going until they scored what turned out to be the winner with a terrific second-half strike by Gary Mackay-Steven.
Wilson admits similar patience is likely to be the key as the season continues, starting this afternoon against St Mirren in Paisley.
The 29-year-old, who spent six seasons at Parkhead said: “The fans maybe got a wee bit frustrated at the weekend.
“But we can’t win every game by four goals. That’s just not possible.
“With the more wins we get, other teams are going to play the way Ross County did and try to contain us.
“It is frustrating but I am used to that having played for years at Celtic. Teams do sit in and make it very difficult for you but you just have to remain patient.
“If you do that, the goals will come and it’s about continuing that.
“You’ve just got to keep at it. That’s what Celtic were so good at when I was there and the amount of late goals they’ve been scoring this season has been incredible as well.”
“As games wear on, all it takes is a slip from an opposition defender and the goal will come, as Celtic have consistently shown.
“It might turn out the same for us. It’s important that when you get the chance you put it away, which Gary Mackay-Steven did against Ross County.
“It’s a compliment that teams see you can score goals so they try to make life difficult for you but we’ve got to handle it.”
United are sitting in second place in the Premiership table behind leaders Celtic and Wilson believes that if they are still to be the “best of the rest” come the end of the season, then they have to realise there will be games like the Ross County one where they will really have to roll the sleeves up to secure victory.
He said: “If you’ve got any aspirations to finish second in the league then you’re going to have to grind out a few 1-0 wins along the way.
“That’s just the way it is and I think the fans appreciated it in the end. It got a wee bit nervy and you could hear that creeping into the crowd, but as long as everyone understands it’s going to be like that sometimes that’s the important bit.
“Over the past few weeks, teams have been trying to play us at our own game.
“But now they’re maybe starting to sit in a bit more and try to hit us on the break.
“We need to be wise to that as well which means we can’t afford to be gung-ho and leave ourselves open so that we get picked off. It’s a fine balance.”
Wilson was recalled to the side against the Staggies with Keith Watson dropping to the bench and the defender admits that with a hectic run of games approaching, boss McNamara’s ability to rotate his squad could prove crucial.
Wilson said: “It’s great having a squad as big as this.
“I think the players realise it can be chopped and changed a bit, especially at this time of the year when it’s such a hectic period.
“It might just be one in and one out with Keith and me because of the amount of games.
“I think it could be difficult to play four or five games in the space of a fortnight, so it will be interesting to see what transpires.”
Wilson, whose deal runs out next month, revealed he has yet to reach an agreement with the club about extending his contract.
Wilson said: “We’ve been talking for a few weeks now. It’s kind of slowed down over the Christmas period but things are still the same.
“I want to stay here and the club do as well. I think it’s just a case of getting these games out of the way first.”