Team news

Lomas ready for buoyant United St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas is bracing himself for the visit of a Dundee United side still soaring with confidence following their win over Rangers.

United stunned Ally McCoist's men when they dumped them from the William Hill Scottish Cup last weekend thanks a convincing 2-0 win at Ibrox.

And Lomas believes the display in Glasgow acts as a warning as to just how difficult a task his own side face in Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash.

He said: "We are looking forward to it, it's going to be a tough game.

"United got a great result at Rangers so we know they are going to be tough opposition.

"They've got some good players so we are going to have to produce similar to the second half performance we put in against Hearts last week over the course of 90 minutes.

"Hopefully we can get something. We are fully focused on this game.

"We know they are going to be buoyant after a great performance against Rangers and we are going to have to combat that." The previous two meetings between the clubs this season have ended in draws and Lomas predicts another close encounter.

He said: "I think it will be a tight affair. Dundee United are probably one of the better teams we have watched this season.

"I've seen them a couple of times and they are very well-organised and have a good work ethic about them." Saints are still sweating over the fitness of Murray Davidson ahead of the meeting at McDiarmid Park after he was forced out of last week's cup tie against Hearts with an ankle injury.

Lomas said: "He's 50-50 at the moment. Murray has been brilliant since I've been here so we will have a look at him tomorrow (Saturday)." Dundee United manager Peter Houston is confident St Johnstone's raft of former Tangerines stars will not influence the outcome of their encounter.

The likes of Fran Sandaza, David Robertson and David McCracken worked with Houston at United before switching to the Saints, so will know something about his tactics and approach.

However, Houston insists away days at McDiarmid Park are a tough task in their own right, and does not place any importance on coming face to face with former players.

"I don't think that St Johnstone having a few ex-United players makes a difference," said Houston, whose side currently lies eight points behind the Saints.

"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.

St Johnstone vs Dundee Utd

Last modified 17:52 11/02/12

Five-star Terrors stun Saints A calamitous pair of own goals from St Johnstone and an incredible three goals in the final seven minutes gave Dundee United a stunning 5-1 victory in an action-packed Clydesdale Bank Premier League Tayside derby.

Saints dominated much of the first half at McDiarmid Park but found themselves a goal behind at half-time after Steven Anderson had bundled into his own net following a dreadful blunder by keeper Peter Enckelman.

A second own goal on the hour mark, from Callum Davidson, doubled United's lead before Anderson made amends for his unfortunate strike by pulling a goal back.

However, headers from Johnny Russell and Jon Daly ensured the Tannadice side would finish comfortable victors, and Enckelman produced another howler in injury time as his attempted clearance struck team-mate Dave Mackay to allow substitute Milos Lacny to roll a fifth into the unguarded net.

St Johnstone opened in determined fashion and earned themselves a corner after just 45 seconds, but could not make anything of the first of a host of set-pieces in the opening stages.

Davidson was just inches away from giving the home side the breakthrough with a right-foot shot in the 17th minute after getting the break of the ball on the edge of the area.

Paul Dixon was vital for the visitors as he booted clear from just three yards out as Lee Croft looked to turn in a cut-back from the energetic Chris Millar.

The left-back then played a key role in an opening goal 10 minutes from the interval.

Dixon flighted in a free-kick from just inside the home half that should not have caused any problems.

But Enckelman missed his punch and the ball was diverted into his own net by the unlucky Anderson.

Three minutes from half-time St Johnstone appealed for a penalty as Croft went down in the box.

However, the winger looked to have anticipated the challenge from Dusan Pernis as he beat the United keeper to the ball and was instead shown a yellow card by referee Iain Brines.

As the interval neared, a flurry of action saw Liam Craig go down in the box, Francisco Sandaza sky his shot over and Enckelman save from Scott Robertson.

Both sides pressed for the crucial second goal within seconds of the restart.

First, Anderson looked to make amends for his own goal but could not get enough on his volley from 16 yards.

Seconds later, Gavin Gunning's header from Gary Mackay-Steven's corner dropped onto the roof of the net.

Having dominated the majority of the first half, Saints were second best now and they saw United double their lead with a second own goal.

Mackay-Steven burst clear down the visitors' left and, when he hammered a low centre across the face of the goal, Davidson, with Russell breathing down his neck, could only turn the ball into his own net.

United were now firing on all cylinders and Enckelman pulled off a superb save to keep out Stuart Armstrong's shot after another great run and centre from Mackay-Steven.

Just as the visitors looked like running away with the game, Saints pulled a goal back.

Craig sent in an inswinging free-kick and, as the United defence stood like statues, Anderson sneaked in to bundle in from close range.

The Tannadice side were unruffled, though, and Gunning came close to a third when he hit the top of the crossbar with yet another header from a Mackay-Steven corner.

And they earned themselves breathing space six minutes from time when Dixon curled in a great free-kick from the left and Russell looped a magnificent header over Enckelman's despairing dive.

Dixon was the provider just a minute from time as Daly rubbed salt in Saints' wounds with a thumping header from the full-back's superb cross.