Fourth meets third as Dundee United welcome Hearts to Tannadice for their final game of the season on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 12.30pm). There is actually nothing to play for other than pride for the respective sides, although it could have been a massive clash for third place had the hosts fared better at Rangers in their last outing. But five points is still the difference between them and the pair are each certain to finish exactly where they are now in the table.
Vital Quotes:
“I would love the fans to turn out in numbers for the players who are leaving,” Dundee United boss Peter Houston told BBC Scotland. “I am going to play as many of them as I can. They will go down in the history books because Dundee United don’t win the Scottish Cup that often. The team from 1994 are still celebrated these days and I think in 20 years time the current crop of lads will be looked upon in the same way. The fans have been great to them, though, and Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to show their appreciation one last time.”
“With what’s been going on this year for everybody it’s just a season to put to bed,” Hearts chief Jim Jefferies told BBC Scotland. “If you look at it all I don’t think there’s been a punch thrown – it’s all been pushing and shoving, accusations, decisions. It’s started to get out of hand. Hopefully it will calm down over the summer and we can make sure next year we don’t get a repeat. If we do it’s going to sicken a lot of people.”
Dundee United Team News:
Keith Watson is ruled out for the hosts after undergoing hernia surgery and joins long-term casualty Darren Dods on the sidelines. Craig Conway, David Robertson, Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis were all expected to play their last games before leaving the club.
Dundee United (from): Pernis, Dillon, Severin, Kenneth, Kovacevic, Douglas, Dixon, Buaben, D. Robertson, S. Robertson, Gomis, Conway, Armstrong, Shala, Daly, Goodwillie, Russell, Mentel
Player to watch: Craig Conway
One of several players expected to leave the club during the summer.
Hearts Team News:
Hearts will be without the suspended David Obua but Eggert Jonsson is available after his red card at Rangers was overturned. Meanwhile, the Jambos will still be missing David Templeton (hamstring), Andrew Driver (hernia), Suso Santana (knee), Calum Elliot (knee) and Kevin Kyle (hip).
Hearts (from): Kello, MacDonald, Stevenson, Bouzid, Elliott, Skacel, Glen, C. Thomson, J. Thomson, Balogh, Webster, Wallace, Black, Palazuelos, Robinson, Zaliukas, Mrowiec, Jonsson, Barr, McGowan, Robinson, Stewart
Player to watch: Marius Zaliukas
Skipper who has recently returned to action at the back.
Match Facts & Stats
Both clubs were put firmly in their places by the only two above them in the table in their last games. Dundee United were beaten 2-0 at leaders Rangers before Hearts went down 3-0 at home to Celtic.
Next Fixtures:
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