Dundee Utd v St Johnstone: Caretaker Alec Cleland says Saints squad is motivated for Tayside tussle

The pair were installed in the joint temporary role after Derek McInnes left Saints for Bristol City on the back of four wins from five games. The Perth side travel to Tannadice eight points ahead of United in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, and Cleland believes the local rivalry will ensure a committed display from his players.

Cleland, himself a former United player, told St Johnstone’s official website: “The one thing is you don’t need to get players up for a derby. The game takes care of itself. The fans will be looking forward to it, as will the Dundee United fans. And their players, they have had a couple of bad results so they will be looking for improvement.

“We are going in really confident so it has all the ingredients of a great game. Myself and Jody are looking forward to it. He has got to play so he has the double header. But I’m looking forward to it because I know it’s going to be a great atmosphere.”

Cleland, the club’s under-19 coach, has previous experience of the caretaker role and he has been encouraged by the players’ response since McInnes was named Bristol City manager on Wednesday. “Training has been great, myself and Jody have thoroughly enjoyed it,” the former Rangers full-back said. “We have had a good reaction off the boys, as we expected. They have been bubbly, they have been cheeky at times as well.

“We are delighted with the outcome and preparation we have got in place for Saturday’s game. Nothing has been left unturned. I have experience at Inverness and Livingston so it’s nothing new to me. I just go in, do the job, I know what’s expected. I’ve done it twice, I’ve got experience. It’s all about keeping the first team going, keeping the training going, keeping them lively and preparing for Saturday’s game.”

Meanwhile, United manager Peter Houston hopes hours spent on the training ground will pay dividends against St Johnstone.

Houston has been alarmed by his team’s leaking of goals in recent weeks, with 19 shipped in just their last eight SPL matches. United’s miserly rearguard has been the foundation for their success over the last few years and Houston held an extensive video session with his men on Monday to go over their mistakes.

That has been followed up by intensive work on their shape and defending from the front so he is hoping they can put it all into practice against Saints.

He said: “It has been obvious that we have lost too many goals in the last five or six weeks so that is something we have been working to address. The players watched the video back on Monday and we have been working hard to eradicate the mistakes which have been costing us. I have a good group of players and they are all honest boys. They have worked away very well and everyone is determined to put it right.”