Houston puts United players on Beattie alert

The former Celtic, West Brom and Swansea forward has found a new lease of life since signing a short-term deal for the Edinburgh club in February. The 28-year-old helped clinch their place in the William Hill Scottish Cup final by scoring a late winner from the penalty spot against Celtic to make him a fans’ favourite at Tynecastle.

Beattie could spearhead the Hearts attack when they visit Tayside for the lunchtime SPL meeting, with Houston fully aware of the threat posed by the seven-times-capped Scotland forward.

Houston said: “Beattie has been a revelation since singing for Hearts. I’ve always rated him highly. Hearts have done well to get him fit and he’s looking the part again. When you look at the level he’s played at, there’s no doubt he’s a quality player so we’ll have to watch him.

“As well as Beattie, they’ve got attack-minded players like Rudi Skacel, Stephen Elliott and Andrew Driver in their ranks. With that in mind, it’s going to be an extremely difficult game for us and we’ll need to be at our best to get the victory.”

A win for United would see them go above third-placed Motherwell on goal difference before the Steelmen host St Johnstone later in the day as the race for that coveted third spot and Champions League qualification hots up.