“We have to guard against complacency, and that goes for the supporters, too.

“I’ll forcibly be putting this over to the players today and again before the match.

“Some fans might think, because of the last two games, we have turned the corner — but there is still a long way to go.

“The supporters have been disappointed by this season, and rightly so, but I’m asking them to get behind the team for the seven games we’ve got left and give us that final push.”

The interim manager added, “This could be one of the biggest, and best, week’s in the careers of some of us at the club if we beat Hearts.

“We are desperate not to slip up tomorrow.

“We know we’ve let the support down too often this season and we want to give them something to cheer from now on in.

“But they can play their part in ensuring that happens by spurring the players on.”

On the playing front, skipper Derek McInnes is free of suspension and Stevie Crawford could return after being left out the starting XI. against Rangers.

“I honestly don’t know what my line-up will be tomorrow,” continued Gordon.

“I know what I’d like it to be, but, with the likes of Garry Kenneth, Barry Robson and some others carrying knocks, changes may be forced on me.

“The team at Ibrox was picked for that particular game as we wanted to frustrate Rangers.

“For tomorrow, I’ll be picking a team I think can beat Hearts. It won’t necessarily be the same team.”

Meanwhile, United are requesting fans to turn up a earlier than usual for tomorrow’s game.

“With vouchers being handed out, this is bound to cause some delay going in through the turnstiles,” said director Derek Robertson.

“Queues could build up quite quickly.

“If fans want to avoid this, I’d recommend they turn up quite a bit earlier than usual.”

“They are chasing that top-six place and their crowd are really behind them.

“I believe we will have quite a good away support, with many opting to stay overnight.

“Our away support is usually very vocal anyway, so I’m expecting a really good atmosphere.

“And that’s what the players want, too. Every player loves to play in games where the crowd is vocal and they will thrive on that.”

Midfielder Iain Anderson returns to the Dark Blues squad for the trip north, and there could be as many as three or four changes in the starting line-up.

The injured Lee Wilkie and suspended Barry Smith are definite non-starters, and there are fitness doubts over Garry Brady and Neil Barrett.

“Garry aggravated his shoulder injury against Dunfermline and is extremely doubtful, while Neil took another knock on the same problem area of his leg in training, but should be okay.

“We’ll have a look at them today, but it may well be tomorrow before we decide on them,” continued the manager.

“It’s not an ideal situation, but, on the plus side, Tam McManus and Steve Lovell are OK for the game.”

Brent Sancho and Bobby Mann will continue as the central defensive partnership.

“The defence have been doing well — the goals we’ve lost to Aberdeen, Dunfermline and Livingston were all very good ones — and now, in having to change it about, we face a big test,” said Jim.

“The partnership between Lee and Bobby gave us a more solid look at the back than we’d had, but, of course, Bobby and Brent played together in the earlier part of the season, and did well then.”

Dundee’s Dutch trialist Eric van Eikeren has returned to Holland where he is due to turn out for his club ASV Dronten this weekend.

Various names had been linked with the job, ex-Saints Ally McCoist, Alan Kernaghan and Allan Preston among them.

And it’s believed Saints interim boss Jim Weir is being kept on at McDiarmid Park.

St Johnstone are without David Hannah for their away game against Partick. He hurt his hand in training and may be kept in hospital overnight.

Long-term injury victims Kevin Fotheringham, Kevin Rutkiewicz and Paul Bernard are still out.