The 19-year-old signed on a three-year deal at the start of the season, but impressive form has seen him feature regularly in the Tangerines top team and earned him a CIS Cup Final place against Rangers last Sunday.

Now his manager is hoping Buaben can continue to improve, but is cautious to predict too much too soon for his rising star.

“Prince is still just a young boy with a lot to learn and, like Morgaro (Gomis), came here initially just as a squad player,” said Craig.

“I’ve been pleased with his progress and it’s really just a case of keeping it going, but he has to keep his feet on the ground.”

United goalkeeper Kemoko Camara maintains his place in the Guinea squad to play Togo in Paris next Tuesday.

Jon Daly, meanwhile, continued on the comeback trail with a goal for the reserves in a 4-2 win over Hearts at Station Park.

However, the big striker might have to wait another couple of weeks before he gets a taste of first-team action.

“That was Jon’s first full match and there is no doubt he is an important player for us, but I think he needs another couple of games under his belt before he can be considered.”

Also on target for the second string were Eric Odihambo (2) and Danny Swanson.

Celtic’s loss to Aberdeen last night in the Scottish Cup means United must now finish third in the table to guarantee a UEFA Cup spot.

But Craig is well aware they face a real dogfight with the likes of Hibs and Motherwell to achieve a European slot.

He said, “At the start of the season, getting a place in the UEFA Cup wasn’t a priority for us, but, at the moment, we are in with a group of teams who have a chance.”

United have no major injury problems ahead of Motherwell’s visit to Tannadice on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Craig declared himself satisfied with yesterday’s outcome at Hampden, which saw keeper Lukas Zaluska fined £500 and reprimanded by the SFA disciplinary panel for making gestures to Aberdeen supporters during the CIS Cup semi-final at Tynecastle.

“I was hoping Lukas wouldn’t be dealt with too harshly and I think he was treated fairly.

“He’s apologised for his part in the incident and is now aware he can’t get involved with supporters.”

The big Czech defender was injured in the Scottish Cup defeat at Queen of the South and missed the two subsequent games against Livingston and Hamilton.

He will now have an operation on Friday, with fears rising he may have cartilage damage.

And, although it’s hoped the 31-year-old has no serious problem, he is still facing another two to three weeks on the sidelines at least. That’s bad news for the Dens men who’ve already lost the services of Scott Robertson due to a hamstring tear, while Gary Mackenzie and Gavin Swankie are battling against time to face the Pars.

And when you add suspended striker Mickael Antoine-Curier to the list of absentees, it’s easy to see why the Dens gaffer is scratching his head.

However, Alex refuses to be downbeat and will have his squad patched up and ready to go for the crucial trip to Fife

He said, “In an ideal world I’d like to have everyone fit, but there is no doubt things are beginning to get really tight squad wise.

“But we’ll shuffle things around and, as they have done in the past, the players will be ready to fight their corner.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game at Dunfermline, they’ve been playing some decent stuff under Jim (McIntyre).

“But we won down there earlier on in the season and that’s what we’ll be looking to do again.”

On the plus side, MacKenzie looks certain to feature as he improves from the head knock which forced him off at Hamilton, while wide man Swankie has been doing some light running, although the manager won’t take any risks.

“Gavin has been able to do a wee bit of work and I would say he was touch and go for the weekend, but we won’t take a chance with his fitness.”

Full squad: Goalkeepers—Jamie MacDonald (Hearts), Euan McLean (Dundee Utd.), Chris Smith (St Mirren). Defenders—Andrew Considine (Aberdeen), Scott Cuthbert (Celtic), Garry Kenneth (Dundee Utd.), Kevin McCann (Hibs), Mark Reynolds (Motherwell), Thomas Scobbie (Falkirk), Lee Wallace (Hearts). Midfielders—Scott Arfield (Falkirk), Ryan Conroy (Celtic), Jamie Hamill (Kilmarnock), James McCarthur (Hamilton), Kevin McDonald (Dundee), Charles Mulgrew (Wolves), Lewis Stevenson (Hibs). Forwards— Ross Campbell (Hibs), Graham Dorrans (Livingston), Calum Elliot (Hearts), Ross McCormack (Motherwell), Steven Naismith (Rangers).       

With 28 minutes gone of the Scottish Cup quarter-final replay, St Johnstone were 3-0 up.

A Billy Mehmet penalty 20 minutes from time pulled it back to 3-1, but, had Paul Sheerin converted a 50th-minute spot-kick, the visiting Saints would have won far more handsomely.

Rocco Quinn, Andy Jackson and Peter MacDonald scored the goals, but every Perth Saint deserves credit for what was a quite brilliant performance.

A beaming team boss Derek McInnes said, “I didn’t buy into the fact we had lost our chance by only drawing the first game at McDiarmid Park.

“I always felt we had a shout of winning the replay here and that’s just what has happened.

“We worked very hard and scored some quality goals.”

Now Rangers or Partick, who play tonight, await the Perth men in the semis next month.

Last night, the 13th minute proved unlucky for St Mirren after Quinn blasted Saints ahead with a superb effort from a Liam Craig cross.

And Craig was again involved when the second goal arrived in the 20th minute, his pass being dummied by Peter MacDonald to send Andy Jackson on his way to his 17th goal of the season.

And MacDonald netted his 50th career goal for the Perth side when he curled home No. 3 on 28 minutes.

So, with a Scottish Cup semi to look forward to, and an outside chance of promotion, the coming weeks will be ones full of excitement for Saints.