The Scotland Under-21 man, however, knows that any drop in his standards will see his rival restored to the team immediately.

“I knew before I came here that Danny was a good player and I have seen that in games and training since I’ve arrived,” said Dixon.

“In training, he works hard and does not let his standards drop just because he isn’t playing, and I know he is ready to take over from me if I am not playing well enough.”

Dixon stresses the rivalry is friendly and put the comfortable manner in which he’s slotted into the United back four down to the help he’s had from the other defenders.

“They are all good to work with and, when I have been on the park, having an experienced pair of centre-halves like Lee Wilkie and Darren Dods just inside has been good.

“That’s helped me settle into the Premier League — it’s a big step up and I’m happy with the way things have coped.”

Both at personal and team level, Dixon’s plan is for the good form to continue and he is eyeing a seventh United win in a row from tomorrow’s trip to Falkirk.

With the Bairns sitting just a point above the bottom of the table, an away win is the expected outcome, but he warns nothing can be taken for granted.

“We are on a winning run and that has made us confident, but Falkirk are one of the best footballing sides in the country and it will not be an easy game.”

As well aware that he is of that hot streak, manager Craig Levein is taking nothing for granted.

“It would be very presumptuous to look at any away fixture in the SPL and say we were definitely going to win,” he said.

“We will try to, but we are going to a place that has been a difficult venue for us and facing a team who play good football.”

Mihael Kovacevic is set to return to the Tangerine squad after a fractured cheekbone and that means only injured striker Jon Daly misses out.