Derek McInnes admits he’s expecting a tough challenge as he prepares to take his side to Tannadice on Saturday night.
The Jambos came from behind twice to take a well-deserved point against Celtic last time out and the head coach is hoping for a repeat of the Jambos’ victory at Tannadice earlier in the season.
Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, McInnes said:
“The game itself in isolation will be a tough game, but for us it's just trying to be good enough to win the game.
“We've had a couple of tough games against United, a late winner. We deserved no more than the point at Tynecastle. Whereas I thought we deserved the win up there, albeit the winner comes a bit late.
“That day, the pitch was pristine, sunshine, it was a brilliant advert for a Scottish game. Obviously, the nature, we're at the end of January, the pitch won't be perfect as it is, it's just the way it is for lots of clubs at the minute. I know Dundee United are desperate to get the game on as we are, so we're looking forward to it.
“There's three points there available and we're well aware of each game, the importance of that. We've had a good January. I was really pleased with last week's performance. I thought we potentially deserved more against Celtic. I thought we were good in the game.
“It was a physical game and a battle, which is exactly what it was. Fiercely competitive, fiercely fought, but again, we've come out the other end, against the team who's won the league over the last wee while, more than holding our own. It's important now that we as a team see the importance of every other game and hopefully, we can see that tomorrow.”
The Jambos announced the signing of Ugandan forward Rogers Mato earlier in the week and McInnes is delighted to get the versatile forward in the door.
“Delighted. I think the club's done well to get him this window. We were always hopeful of that. I think he's an exciting young player. He brings a lot of pace. He can play across the front line.
“So great versatility and great options for us to play across that front line. I think sometimes, we still feel we need that wee bit more pace at the top end of the pitch. The potential is clear.
“He's done quite a lot for somebody so young. He came under immense pressure not to come to Hearts, and he was as good to his word. That says a lot about him. He's a very strong-willed, mature young man and I’m full of admiration for him. Now that he's here, we're just delighted to get him in.”
On any further incomings, McInnes added:
"I think at this stage, as we sit here now, it looks unlikely at the minute. We've hit the bar with a couple. We've tried to exhaust one or two situations. The club's still chipping away at it, but I'm just trying to be realistic in the sense that we've signed four this window and four that we were delighted to get in.
"We wouldn't have given up on a fifth one, but at this moment in time, it might just seem a bit unlikely."
You can watch Derek’s press conference in full on Hearts TV.
