“As a team that is certainly the case. If we can win tomorrow we can keep things going and the season will flourish — things will be upbeat and there will be a buzz about the place,” he said today.

“If we don’t win, though, it will all go a bit flat. I will demand we improve our league position because we should be higher than we are and players will be working to show me they should be involved next season, but as a team things will not be as enjoyable.”

Despite the heavy weekend league loss to Accies, Alan is optimistic the first scenario will apply and has detected a steely determination from his players in training. So much so, in fact, he has had to tell them to cool down.

“They were hurting after Saturday and there has definitely been a reaction. There has been an edge to their work and I have had to tell them to calm down a bit — it’s good they are working hard, but I can’t risk injuries before they get out on the pitch.

“I’ve told them as well that it’s one thing to be determined in training, but they have to take that attitude out on the pitch with them tomorrow night and do the job.”

Leading the team out, assuming he is fit, will be centre-half Bobby Mann.

He is being handed the captain’s armband in the absence of the suspended Barry Smith.

Of more concern to the manager today, though, was Mann’s progress as he battles back from the calf problem that forced him off at half-time on Saturday.

“I have not really given the captaincy too much thought, but Bobby is the obvious choice.

“He was stepping things up a bit today after his injury and I am fairly confident he will be fine.”

A great deal of thought has gone into how to cover for Smith’s absence from central midfield and, while Alan would not reveal names, he has decided who will anchor the midfield.

“I’ve pretty much decided on my team and how we will go, but Hamilton are staying up here tonight so I won’t be naming it before I have to,” he added.

Former Dark Blues defender Brent Sancho has salvaged his dream of a World Cup place with Trinidad and Tobago this summer by signing up with Swansea City.

Sancho had been a free agent after ending an unhappy spell at Gillingham.

And while Jimmy Calderwood remains hopeful the 23-year-old will stay put, the Pittodrie boss’s close friend Craig Brewster will be making a determined effort to bring the player to Tannadice. There is a chance both men could be disappointed because it is also known a number of clubs south of the border fancy the performer.

As the rebuilding for next term and beyond gets under way, Craig is also being linked with a move for 20-year-old Ayr winger Craig Conway.

The United boss is hoping to take a big step back towards fitness tonight by getting the plaster removed from his broken leg. He has been out of action since breaking a bone just above his ankle against the Dons, in his first game as player-manager, back in January. He sees a specialist tonight and if the bone has healed as expected, will not need a new plaster.

While he is not scheduled to return to full training until pre-season work at the start of July, being able to get back into normal footwear will be a boost.

“Not training has been frustrating and I don’t like all this hobbling around, but I have still done as much work as I can in the gym,” said Craig. “If they give me the all-clear, I’ll build up my work to have a good pre-season.”

Meanwhile, a young reserve side went down 1-0 at Hibs yesterday.

ICT manager Charlie Christie is clearly worried by United interest in players like Darren Dods, Ian Black and Craig Dargo.

He said, “They are under contract for next season and it would need bids of well into six figures for each player for us to be remotely interested.

“Coming here’s been great for them and it makes sense for them to stay.”

MacDonald did appear briefly as a substitute in the 0-0 home divide against St Mirren a few weeks ago, but suffered a reaction. Although it wasn’t a severe reaction, it was enough to dent his progress.

Meanwhile, McCann is seeing a specialist today and hoped to be able to get the OK to step up his training.

A few spaces remain at Friday’s Lunch with Owen Coyle event.

For £12 per person, supporters can enjoy a two-course lunch plus coffee in the Centenary Suite at McDiarmid Park after which the Saints manager will share some of his footballing memories with those present and also answer a few questions.