THE PREVIEW: Tangerines must get back in the swing of things against Hibs if they are to tee up a grand finale

Daily Mail​

03-05-2025

Anyone who's spent the best part of their morning hacking their way through 18 holes on the golf course can attest to the fact that it's a game of contrasting emotions.
No matter how many fairways have been hit, no matter how many putts have been sunk, a shank is never too far around the corner.
Yes, all it takes is one bad shot to ruin a perfectly good day in the sunshine. But as nine-time major champion Ben Hogan famously pointed out, the next one is the most important.
And those are words of wisdom that Dundee United's players and staff would do well to remember ahead of this afternoon's trip to Easter Road.
Thankfully, last week's 5-0 skelping at the hands of Celtic already looked to be well and truly out of the system by the time they teed off at Fairmont St Andrews for the club's annual golf outing on Wednesday morning.
Which is just as well, because they'll need to quickly get back into the swing of things against Hibernian if they want to keep their European ambitions alive.
Finishing higher than 11th would have represented a positive outcome on their return to the Premiership, but it didn't take long to see this squad were destined for bigger things once the action got under way in August.
Jim Goodwin's men have spent just one week out of the top six since then. What a job the Irishman has done.
Indeed, he could perhaps feel a little aggrieved not to have been one of those in the running for Manager of the Year. It would be hard to argue he isn't deserving of a place.
Working within a shoestring budget, he has built a side which has punched above its weight, and is now tantalisingly close to bringing European football back to Tannadice.
A top-four finish would guarantee it. Fifth place would be enough to sneak in as well providing Celtic lift the Scottish Cup later this month. Aberdeen will have something to say about that, mind you.
For now, United can only focus on themselves, and there's still plenty of work to be done on their part. Starting today. This one falls firmly into the must-not-lose category.
Hibs' 17-match Premiership unbeaten run came to an end against the Dons last Saturday courtesy of a stunner from their former player, Kevin Nisbet.
But they are still very much in the driving seat to end the year in third. And a win today would open up a six-point gap on their opponents with three to play.
As impressive as they've been to date, surely that would be too big a gap for United to bridge.
Before Christmas, few would have expected David Gray to still be in the dugout given how badly the campaign started. Hibs' decision to stick with their man has paid off in spades. Credit where it's due.
Last week, the former club captain signed new three-year contract and then earned a spot on the shortlist for the aforementioned manager's gong. Just rewards for what has been a quite remarkable turnaround.
More often than not, the various narratives featured in amongst the Premiership fixture card are lost on an Old Firm weekend. Not this time.
Can Hearts handle the heat?
Oh to be a fly on the wall at Hearts' annual awards ceremony on Sunday evening. Less than 24 hours after handing Neil Critchley his jotters following a demoralising, but entirely unsurprising, home loss to Dundee, the players turned up at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre suited, booted and with their respective tails between their legs.
One Sky Sports correspondent had the unenviable task of getting some reaction as they made their way into the venue. A valiant effort, but quotes were not forthcoming.
Lawrence Shankland was one of those clearly instructed by the club to keep schtum. Understandable, yes. But it certainly made for painful viewing, a fact the captain acknowledged later in the week as he turned his attention to today's huge clash at Ross County.
Now is the time for the players do their talking on the pitch. Make no mistake, the threat a relegation is very real. Interim boss Liam Fox - taking charge against County for the second time this season - has already admitted as much.
Perhaps he can get a tune out of this lot.
Critchley wasn't without fault. His brand of football offered up to the Tynecastle punters was dire. But those who crossed the white line every week have to take the lion's share of the responsibility for the bulk of this season's failings.
Few who have donned maroon will emerge from this disaster of a campaign with any credit in the bank.
And it could be about to get much worse. Defeat in Dingwall this afternoon could see Hearts fall to within two points of the dreaded play-off spot.
This squad have already demonstrated their inability to handle the pressure, with their record in so-called big games a major contributor to Critchley's downfall. This one might just be their most important yet.