And while he was more than happy with a point from the 2-2 thriller, Craig added he was a touch disappointed the fightback from two down did not produce a win.

“I have to keep in mind we didn’t do well in the first half and the game could have been beyond us by the interval, but, by the end, it was one we might have won,” he said. “That says everything about the character of these players because not many teams go two behind at Parkhead and come back to take anything.

“And that’s the second time this season we’ve fought back to draw with Celtic. We’ve drawn with Rangers twice as well, but lost the lead in those games late on, so I feel like we’ve taken more from Celtic.

“As well that, even when it went to 2-0 on Saturday, I felt we were still in the game because, by that time, we had sorted things out and were doing well.”

Now attention turns to Sunday and the Scottish Cup trip to face East Stirling on the synthetic surface at Stenhousemuir’s Ochilview.

Suspended for that one is skipper Lee Wilkie, though that is a timely ban because this is a tie he would not have been considered for.

“With Lee’s knee, I would not use him on the astroturf, so, even if he was available, I would have left him out,” explained Craig.

Midfielder Scott Robertson, meanwhile, is out because of a groin problem that has been hindering him for a while now.

“It is something we have been managing OK, but, eventually, there is going to come a point where he needs to rest it, so that’s something we’ll do on Sunday.”

Only a few hundred of United’s allocation of 2000 tickets for Sunday remain unsold — they are available from the club shop at Tannadice.

He’ll also be delighted if the six-figure cheque the Dark Blues should earn from the tie means he can add to his squad.

As he prepares for battle against his former Dens team-mate Gordon Strachan, though, he will not be thinking about that.

“The big thing for me is that this will give the players a chance to play against the best in the country and, for the ones who have never played in the Premier League, it will show them what they can expect if we get promoted,” said Jocky.

“That should be a good experience for them and make them want more of it.”

As for the financial side, the manager was remaining relaxed about how that will pan out.

“It will obviously provide good income for the club. Whether or not that means I will see some of it, I really don’t know yet.

“At the moment the situation remains that to get people in I’ll need to move people out and that is not going to be easy.”

One player who could be on his way is back- up goalkeeper Ludovic Roy. Out of contract in the summer, the experienced Frenchman wants first-team football and accepts the form of Rab Douglas means he will have to move to get it. If that can be arranged this month, it will.

“Ludovic and I have had a chat and I understand his position and he understands mine,” added Jocky.

"He works very hard in training each day and, at this stage of his career, wants to be playing, but big Rab has been doing very well and is the No. 1.

“Ludovic will be moving on anyway when his contract is up in the summer and, if he has a club to go to now and I can find a replacement, he could go during this window — but only if I get someone in, and he appreciates that."

Missing from training this morning was defender David Cowan, who called in sick.

Had Saints’ game with Ross County gone ahead, Martin Hardie wouldn’t have played due to injury. However, it’s hoped he’ll be OK for Rangers.