Brittain eyeing United scalp
Richie Brittain reckons Ross County will face the second best team in Scotland on Friday night - but still believes Dundee United can be beaten.
The County captain is not one of the gloom merchants who claims Jackie McNamara's side are no longer as strong as they once were since losing Ryan Gauld and Andrew Robertson in the summer.
In fact, he claims only Celtic have a stronger squad than the Tangerines, despite the fact they are a point behind Inverness, who sit second in the Scottish Premiership three points back from the Hoops.
But Brittain says County boss Jim McIntyre has drawn up a masterplan to beat United and he is confident of success when the teams meet at the Global Energy Stadium on Friday night.
The basement boys are looking to bounce back from consecutive losses to St Johnstone as they seek an escape route out of the relegation zone.
Brittain said: "I don't buy any of that nonsense about United being weaker this season.
"If you look at their squad it is still packed with quality. If you go through their group, it is probably the best outside Celtic.
"They have got Paul Paton and John Rankin in the middle of the park, Nadir Ciftci up top with Stuart Armstrong in behind.
"It's going to be a tough ask to nullify their threat. They throw men forward and have a lot of movement in the attacking areas.
"But we have got to try and exploit their weaknesses. We have got a game plan in place and if we stick to that, hopefully we can take something from Friday's game."
Boss Jim McIntyre has been rocked by the news Ben Frempah has been ruled out for four months. The former Leicester midfielder broke his ankle in Tuesday's Under-20s clash with Motherwell.
A thigh strain also keeps Filip Kiss out of the fixture, while long-term absentees Rocco Quinn (hip) and Darren Barr (knee) continue their long march back to fitness.
Meanwhile, McNamara hopes his side can take the confidence from last weekend's Scottish Cup win into Friday night's match.
United return to league business in front of the live cameras in Dingwall after earning a morale-boosting 2-1 triumph against Motherwell last Saturday.
And McNamara wants his players to build on that fine victory away over the Steelmen when they take on the Staggies.
He said: "It was a good win against Motherwell.
"Now we want to follow it on with another positive result.
"There were a lot of positives to take from our last game and we want to take those into this game with County.
"It's a busy spell coming up with a lot of good games to look forward to and we'll take one at a time.
"We want the three points as much as we would going into any other game but we know we'll have to work hard for them on the night."
McNamara predicts County will be a tough nut to crack as McIntyre attempts to bring about a major revival in their fortunes.
He said: "We're under no illusions.
"We've never had an easy game up there and that's not about to change.
"They are fighting hard for their own objectives so we know it will be tough from the word go.
"They will be wanting to make a good game of it and so too are we.
"There have been some signs in recent weeks that we are getting back to what we are capable of.
"That can only be good from our point of view but it's about trying to keep it going.
"There is a lot of competition for places which can only be a good thing.
"The lads are all trying their best in training and are pushing each other on.
"They know there is an opportunity there for them if they impress."
United are set to welcome back central defender Jaroslaw Fojut after he missed last weekend's win over Motherwell through sickness.
Midfielder John Rankin is also fit again after a knee injury.
And forward Nadir Ciftci is free from suspension along with central defender Calum Morris, but striker Mario Bilate's hamstring injury continues to keep him out.
Source: PA
