Live Commentary

Houston wary of Beattie Dundee United manager Peter Houston has warned his European hopefuls to beware of Hearts striker Craig Beattie in Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League match at Tannadice. The former Celtic, West Brom and Swansea forward has found a new lease of life since signing a short-term deal for the Edinburgh club in February. The 28-year-old helped clinch their place in the William Hill Scottish Cup final by scoring a late winner from the penalty spot against Celtic to make him a fans' favourite at Tynecastle. Beattie could spearhead the Hearts attack when they visit Tayside for the lunchtime SPL meeting with Houston fully aware of the threat posed by the seven-times-capped Scotland forward. Houston said: "Beattie has been a revelation since singing for Hearts. "I've always rated him highly. Hearts have done well to get him fit and he's looking the part again. "When you look at the level he's played at there's no doubt he's a quality player so we'll obviously have to watch him. "As well as Beattie, they've got attack-minded players like Rudi Skacel, Stephen Elliott and Andrew Driver in their ranks. "With that in mind, it's going to be an extremely difficult game for us and one where we'll need to be at our best to get the victory." A win for United would see them go above third-placed Motherwell on goal difference before the Steelmen host St Johnstone later in the day as the race for that coveted third spot and Champions League qualification hots up. The Tangerines have earned the bragging rights in all three previous outings but Houston doesn't see that having any influence over this encounter. He said: "It's fair to say that Hearts could have won every one of those games this season. "They've all been extremely close with just the odd goal deciding two of them so I'd expect this one to be along the same lines. "We're just taking one game at a time and not really thinking too far ahead in terms of what a win might mean. "Right after we beat St Johnstone last weekend our thoughts turned immediately to Hearts and how we can go about hopefully getting another three points." Midfielder Jason Holt is set to return to the scene of his Hearts debut after a glowing endorsement of his talent from manager Paulo Sergio. The 19-year-old made his debut as a substitute on the final day of the last Clydesdale Bank Premier League season at Tannadice and Sergio had nothing but praise for Holt, who scored on his first start for Hearts, a 2-1 loss at St Johnstone last month. Sergio said: "He had his opportunity, he played very well, he scored a goal, which caught the attention of everybody. "He has a lot of quality but we shouldn't rush, because I believe we have a great talent there. "He has time. He should wait for his moment and he knows. "He's humble, a hard worker with fantastic technical ability. Different class. He's a kid that can go far in this profession." With Hearts seeking to climb from sixth place in the SPL standings and in the William Hill Scottish Cup final against Hibernian on May 19, Holt may have to wait for another chance. Sergio added: "We are playing very, very important games and it's not the kids that should take responsibility at this moment."