Even if they had not beaten deadly rivals Hibs at the weekend, though, the experienced Grady would still have been expecting a tough 90 minutes at Tannadice this evening.

“Everybody in Scotland sees them as the third force just now and they have been there for the past three or four years. They are a benchmark for the rest of us, so, if we get above them this season, we will not be too far away from third,” said the striker.

United got a boost themselves on Sunday, holding a Rangers side, who had won seven games on the bounce, to a 1-1 draw. That ended a four-game losing streak in the league and, like boss Ian McCall, Grady wants to build on that result.

“It was more of a gutsy performance at Ibrox than anything else. It was not pretty, but we had a game plan and we stuck to it,” he added.

“That’s boosted our confidence. Now we have a run of games in Dundee, so we want to make the most of that and do well. The gaffer has been saying to us that Tannadice was a very hard place to come to last season and we want to get back to that.

“We know we should be higher in the league than we are and, if you can win your home games, you have a good chance of climbing the table. Now, with four games at home and one over the road, we have a chance to do that and also reach a cup semi-final.”

A special date in those coming fixtures will be the visit to his old stomping ground at Dens Park on Saturday week, but Grady is able to look at the bigger picture when he sets his goal for November.

“A derby’s always nice if you win, but I think the highlight would be getting a few wins in the next month. We’ve only had one win in the league so far and that is not enough — we all know that and want better.”

Up front on his own at Ibrox, for this game Grady is likely to be joined by either Jim McIntyre or Jason Scotland, who should be fit after missing out at the weekend because of knee trouble.

In midfield, it is likely to be a late decision over whether or not Billy Dodds is rested after his exertions at Ibrox. If he is, Algerian international Karim Kerkar is expected to make his first start for United. Meanwhile, United have been linked with a move for St Mirren goalkeeper Ludovic Roy when the transfer window opens in January.

By then, though, Tony Bullock should have recovered from a broken collar bone and the manager has been pleased with stand-in Paul Jarvie’s form and, if that continues, he may decide to stick with what he has.

Prospective Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov is expected to be in the directors box at Tannadice tonight. The millionaire Lithuanian businessman has agreed a deal in principal with Chris Robinson to take over at Tynecastle before the end of the year. His name first became known in Scotland when he was linked with similar deals at United, Dundee and Dunfermline around the turn of the year.

“It’s still early doors and you can’t be talking in terms of a win being vital, but it is a big game and, obviously, three points would do us a lot of good,” said the midfielder.

“If we can win, it will leave us in a situation where we are looking up the way and seeing how high we can go, rather than over our shoulders at teams like Inverness down at the bottom.

“If we don’t, it is not a big crisis because there is still a long way to go, but this is a good chance for us to move towards where we want to be.”

Recent performances have led to optimism in the Dens ranks that, despite the enforced changes of the past year, a top-six place could be possible, though Brady concedes winning on a more regular basis is needed if that is going to happen.

“Even draws are not much good if you want to climb the league, so we know we need a few more wins. We’ve been playing quite well without always getting results.

“We did last Saturday, but we ended up losing to Dunfermline because we did not take our chances and, at times, the final ball from us was lacking.

“The gaffer said that after the game and we’ve been working on that a bit in training. If we can improve on that score, then we feel we have a right chance of winning at Pittodrie, though we know it is going to be a hard game.

“Inverness have not been getting the results they would have liked, but no one has turned them over and, when they have lost, it has only been by one goal.”

With the home team and their fans having to travel even further than the visitors to reach their rented accommodation, tonight’s crowd is not expected to be much above the 1000 mark.

While attendances at Dens this term have been less than hoped for, Brady conceded that playing in an almost empty stadium would be strange.

“You can’t expect a lot of fans to be travelling from Inverness on a Wednesday night and I’m not sure how many fans we’ll have there. When the crowd is small like that you just have to lift yourself and make sure you go about things in the right manner.

“You feel for them and their fans because they can’t play on their own ground, but that should be to the away team’s advantage and it is up to us to make the most of that.”

On the fitness front, midfielder Neil Barrett faces a check on a groin strain before the squad head for the Granite City, but already ruled out is Brazilian Alex Cerdeira, who has a hamstring problem.

However, it could be the end of the week before another injured Saint, Ryan McCann, is back in training.

Stars coach Roger Hunt said, “I am disappointed to see Glenn leave, but it was in the best interests of both parties. I would like to thank him for his contribution to the team.

“Nevertheless, it is a bonus that I have been able to secure the signature of such an experienced goalie as Evan.

“He was formerly a Calgary Flames draft pick and has experience in the East Coast Hockey League in North America as well as with London in the EIHL.

“At 6 ft. 2 in., he is a big, agile guy and I know he’ll do well.”

Meanwhile, Lindsay admitted he didn’t need to think twice about moving across the Atlantic.

He said, “I started the season in North America with Tulsa, but couldn’t really settle and, when I got the offer to come to Scotland, it wasn’t a difficult decision to make.”

Lindsay will make his debut for the Tayside outfit tomorrow in their Caledonia Cup match at Murrayfield against Edinburgh Capitals.