Dundee United manager Peter Houston has said he is looking forward to facing St Johnstone in the Tayside derby, saying the fixture always has “a bit of spice”.

Houston is looking to follow up on his side’s Scottish Cup victory against Rangers with three league points at McDiarmid Park.
 
"It is a Tayside derby match and they are always close games so this one will be no different,” the manager said.

"It is a great game, it's a Tayside derby and we will need to be up for it.

"In many ways this is harder than going to Ibrox because it's a derby and the games have always been really close between the sides.

"I'm sure we will take a good support with us like we always do."

St Johnstone boast several former United players in their ranks but Houston said that there was little prospect of the inside knowledge possessed by the likes of Francisco Sandaza, David Robertson and David McCracken being decisive.

"I don't think that St Johnstone having a few ex-United players makes a difference,” he insisted.

"It is a derby match so there is always going to be a bit of spice in the game regardless.

"David McCracken was here when I first came to the club with Craig Levein. He moved on because he wasn't a first-team regular at Dundee United but he went to England and did well.

"He's come back to St Johnstone and has been a regular there.

"He is a smashing boy, his attitude was excellent when he was here."

Houston does anticipate a tough test though, and paid credit to the work that opposite number Steve Lomas in his short time in Perth so far.

He said: "Steve Lomas has done brilliant. He replaced Derek McInnes and has carried on the work he had done.

"He has added a couple of players. I have seen Lee Croft a few times on the television and have reports on them.

"Steve knows the English leagues so I'm sure he will be able to get more good players for St Johnstone."