DEFEAT can often be an inspiration and for Dundee United midfielder David Robertson the pain of losing out on third place to Hearts will be in his mind against Rangers today.
United battled for months to get into a position to overtake Hearts and had that opportunity last weekend, only for them to produce one of their most insipid performances of the season during a 3-0 defeat.
Robertson intends to make amends when
Rangers visit Tannadice today and has no concerns for the impact on the title race.
United have been treated as bit-part players on this so-called helicopter Sunday, but with their coveted place in Europe at stake Robertson is firmly focused on righting their Tynecastle wrong.
"There's no doubt losing to Hearts last weekend was a terrible feeling, even worse than when Rangers beat us in the CIS Cup final," he said. "We usually perform well on the big occasion but I was shocked at our performance.
"But that's gone now and although the lads were a bit subdued at the start of the week the gaffer made sure our heads got right back up again. Last season Aberdeen came from nowhere to pip us for fourth place and there's no way we're going to let that happen again. After Tynecastle we've been given a second chance and it's now up to us to take it."
United's players have all been canvassed this week, with a hungry media keen to know their opinions on the destination of the title.
Robertson, who came through United's youth system, has repeatedly assured people he could not care who holds aloft the trophy but has met a wall of disbelief.
If his words have been unable to assure them of his sincerity, Robertson is positive his actions will. "We've got our own agenda and that's to get fourth and make it into Europe.
"Obviously it's a high-profile game and the vast majority of people watching will be looking to see how Rangers get on, not if Dundee United make it into Europe.
"A point is all we need but we certainly won't be playing for one. If you do that against the Old Firm then you can easily shoot yourself in the foot. Our plan is the same as always, we'll attack, try to win the game and see where that takes us."
Where the afternoon takes the SPL's helicopter is, quite simply, of no concern to anyone with Dundee United allegiances.
The full article contains 422 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
