Ross County manager Jim McIntyre has urged his players to beware a resurgent Dundee United when the Arabs visit Victoria Park today.
Mixu Paatelainen’s side remain rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, but have been much more competitive in recent weeks, winning five of their last seven matches.
United’s struggle for Premiership survival continues in Dingwall and having been in a similar situation to his former club last season, McIntyre knows the visitors have no option but to take the game to the Staggies.
He said: “United had a fantastic result against a good Hearts side. We’ve got to remember we were that team last season. We got some positive results and then went on a roll.
“We’ve got to try to stop that. We’ve got to make sure we start on the front foot and put them under as much pressure as possible.
“Without a shadow of doubt, they’ll come at us. They need wins and they will be throwing everything at us.
“I was at the Motherwell game where United were unlucky to lose 3-0. They had chances to equalise and there are small margins in football at times. We’ve seen that before.”
While United chase survival County have their own goal to aim for with securing a top six berth the immediate focus.
County remain in fourth place in the Scottish Premiership but with only eight points separating fourth from 11th McIntyre knows his club’s final six games before the split are crucial.
He said: “With the fixtures this weekend, and then another fixture on Tuesday night at Kilmarnock, it is a huge week for us.
“We know we will be facing a team with a real determination to get another victory and we have to be ready for that.”
With a League Cup final to look forward to next month and a Scottish Cup quarter-final looming next weekend it is shaping up to be a thrilling end to the campaign for the Staggies.
McIntyre is delighted with his club’s progress, but knows there can be no easing up from his players this afternoon.
He said: “We’ve shown this season in adversity – going down to 10 men and coming back when we’re goals behind – that we have plenty character.
“But there is also a lot of quality, too, so it is important we win those contests – and there will be plenty – and then produce our football to try to win the match.”