Sean Dillon expects thrilling finish to Champions League race

DUNDEE United defender Sean Dillon anticipates further twists and turns in the race for the Champions League after his side cut the gap to third-placed Motherwell to three points with this win

Scott Robertson and John Rankin were on target as United claimed a 2-0 victory in Perth to leapfrog St Johnstone into fourth place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with four matches remaining.

With Rangers excluded as a result of their administration, third is the target to follow champions Celtic into Europe’s premier club competition.

“If you have a chance, you might as well have a go,” Dillon said. “We know it’s going to be tough next week against Hearts, then playing the Old Firm twice in the space of a few days before going to Motherwell. There’s a lot to do, but the first one is done. There are four big games to go. We just need to keep the heads right and make sure we’re ready for Hearts.”

Sixth-placed Hearts lost 3-0 to Rangers to sit seven points behind the Steelmen and may be distracted by the prospect of next month’s William Hill Scottish Cup final against Edinburgh rivals Hibernian.

However, Dillon, a cup winner with United in 2010, does not believe Hearts will ease up in the SPL. He said: “We had the same kind of situation a couple of years’ ago and we wanted to make sure we finished the league season well. It’s not all about the cup. They’ll be wanting to put on a show for their fans.”

Dillon is set to have a new central defensive partner against Hearts after Gavin Gunning suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder at McDiarmid Park. Manager Peter Houston is reluctant to put top scorer Jon Daly in defence, although the captain can play there, and is more likely to switch Robbie Neilson in from his right-back position.

Dillon was involved in one of the game’s pivotal moments as ex-United striker Francisco Sandaza was sent off for kicking out at him.

Sandaza faces a minimum two-match ban for violent conduct, which will offer an opportunity to Derek Riordan, who made his Saints debut on Saturday following a catalogue of suspensions and injuries.

Riordan returned from an ill-fated spell in China in November. A spell training with Kilmarnock was followed by one in Perth and a short-term deal was agreed last month. Riordan has not thought beyond the SPL season, but is keen to travel to Hampden on 19 May to watch Hibs, the team he supports and has played for in two spells, in the Scottish Cup final.

“I’ve enjoyed it here,” Riordan said. “I’m just happy to play here until the end of the season. Hopefully I’ll get some tickets [for the final]. If not I’ll be devastated.”