Live Commentary

Houston warns of Jefferies effect Dundee United boss Peter Houston knows his side have to cope with the expectation on their shoulders against Dunfermline this weekend. And he reckons new Pars boss Jim Jefferies will be relishing the fact his team are massive underdogs. United go into Saturday's match on the back of an impressive few months and barely anyone gives bottom of the table Dunfermline a chance. But Houston knows the East End Park players will get a massive lift from Jefferies joining the club so he has told his men to brace themselves for their toughest test in weeks. He said: "In many ways I think the Dunfermline game will be the most difficult one we've faced lately. "There is an expectation on us because of the run we're on and Jim will like that. "He will use that to motivate his players and get them fired up for coming to Tannadice. "So it is going to be a very hard game and we will need to show the same level of application and good attitude we have been doing. "Dunfermline have already beaten us at home this season. There are no easy games in the SPL and that is even more so when you come up against a team fighting for their lives." While most of the focus is on the Pars' plight at the bottom of the table, United full-back Paul Dixon insists they have plenty to play for too. United slipped down to fifth in the league because of St Johnstone's win over Inverness on Wednesday but can reclaim fourth if they beat Dunfermline. And Dixon, who will move on at the end of his contract in the summer, is desperate to secure a place in Europe for a third year in a row. He said: "I know they are at the bottom and fighting for their lives, so we have to expect a hard game on that score. "But we are looking to move back ahead of St Johnstone in fourth place so we have plenty to play for as well. "When you play teams who have appointed a new manager you expect a positive reaction from them because you've got boys busting a gut to show they should be part of his future plans. "That goes beyond whatever is at stake for the season you're in. "I do believe that makes it a situation you're more aware of going into the game than what their league position is, though whoever you play in this league you always expect a hard game and you usually get one." United are likely to be without full-back Keith Watson, who picked up a knock against Hibs last weekend, so Robbie Neilson will be recalled to the side. Striker Milos Lacny will undergo a knee operation on Saturday. Midfielder Mark Kerr hopes Dunfermline's team spirit can prove decisive in their battle to remain in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. A win at Tannardice, emulating the feat from August, would see the Pars wipe out the three-point gap to second bottom Hibernian, who play Inverness on Sunday. Reports have emerged from across the Firth of Forth of discontent in the Hibs ranks. The capital club have played down the claims, but Martin Scott, the subject of one of the rumours, was this week made available for loan after being told he would not feature again this season. Whether the reports from Hibs are accurate or not, Kerr says there are no such issues in Fife. The former United midfielder said: "We've got a good team spirit, we've not lost that. "If it (the reports from Hibs) is true you would think we're a closer-knit team. But you don't know what's true and what's not true. "A wee fight or scuffle can happen. It just grows arms and legs I think. "When you're down there, people are against you, there are wee niggles in training. "When it happens in a team that's sitting second or third or fourth then nothing is reported, the boys laugh about it later."