| By their own standards, the Tangerines were disappointing in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Hearts, a result which confirmed the Tynecastle side’s third-place finish.
However, just as they have done in the past this season, Craig is confident his team can bounce back and get a result against Walter Smith’s title chasers that would guarantee European football next season, regardless of what Aberdeen do against Hibs
He knows if that were the case, it could deny Rangers the title, but that is of little concern to the United boss, whose sole focus is his own team’s aspirations.
“I don’t think Rangers would have picked Tannadice for their last game,” said Craig
“So it’s all to play for and, any time we’ve had a disappointing result this season, we’ve always regrouped and come back well, so that’s what I’ll be looking for this week.
“As I’ve said 100 times before, I’m not bothered about who wins the league, my only concern is trying to get that fourth spot.”
While not making excuses for Saturday’s display at Tynecastle, the manager felt his team looked strangely lethargic.
But he re-assured the United support, his side will be giving everything they’ve got in this weekend’s final game.
He added, “Every now and then it happens. The disappointing thing for me is that I didn’t want it to happen in this game.
“But the players are not robots and maybe last Tuesday’s game at Parkhead took more out of them than we thought.
“It certainly looked that way because we never seemed to have the same energy levels or strength that we’ve shown in recent games.
“We had a lot of supporters through at Tynecastle and we owe them one for that performance.
“But I can assure them we’ll be ready when Rangers come here on Sunday.”
Indeed, although the Premier League has its critics, it’s fair to say the top-flight’s ruling body will be delighted the way things have developed, with issues at both ends of the table still to be settled with only one round of fixtures remaining.
That could mean a nerve-jangling time for managers, players and fans alike, but it’s something the United boss is relishing.
“I’m delighted to be in the position we are. I think it’s been an exciting season right across the SPL and I’ve seen a lot of fantastic football matches.
“And, from a neutral’s point of view, the way things have panned out you couldn’t have asked for a better script.”
“We don’t play until Sunday and that will give us a bit more time to rest and get ourselves ready.”
Meanwhile, although Danny Cadamarteri still remains a target, with such a crucial week ahead, any further moves to secure the striker’s signature may be held over until the dust has finally settled on the SPL. |
