As a home and away follower of Scotland, though, he believes this is the best Christmas present Scots fans could have hoped for.

“Since I was standing on the terraces in Norway in August watching the team get hammered, I’ve been of the belief Craig Levein was the perfect manager for Scotland,” he said.

“Obviously, as a director of another club, never mind the one right across the road, I did not feel it would be appropriate for me the say so in public.

“Now he has been appointed, though, I can, and I think this is a move the whole country should get behind because, if he can bring success back to the international team, it will be a good thing for all of us.”

In keeping with the season of goodwill, Melville was keen to highlight there was still at least one very good club manager in Tannadice Street — his own.

“As well as being a Craig Levein fan, since I got involved at Dundee, I have become a big admirer of Jocky Scott,” he added.

“Jocky tends to go about his business in an understated way and maybe that means he does not get the recognition he deserves.

“I see him go about his business, though, and I know how good he is and why so many people in the game rate him highly.”

In typically-understated fashion, today Jocky was concerning himself with nothing other than preparing for the Boxing Day clash at Inverness.

His players trained at Dens again and, with undersoil heating also in use at the Caley Stadium, there are no concerns about the surface up there.

The one doubt about the game going ahead could be road conditions between here and the Highland capital, and Dundee will be checking those before heading north tomorrow night.

“We’ve had problems down here this week with boys getting in for training, but I don’t know how bad the A9 is,” said Jocky. “We are finding that out before we head off, but I’m expecting the game to be on.”

However, the big freeze has already decimated the SFL’s Boxing Day card with only Dundee’s game at Inverness and Partick’s home fixture against QOS surviving the current Arctic blast.

For that reason, he is delighted see his mate getting the country’s top job, but also knows he is a hard act to follow.

With the quality of player at Tannadice, though, he is convinced United can look forward to a bright future.

“I am pleased for Craig, because he has received the recognition he is due and I’ve no doubt he is the right man for Scotland.

“For us, losing him is a blow, of course it is, but it is one the players will recover from in a day or so.

“Two years ago, we lost Barry Robson when he was our main man and, last year, Willo Flood went in January when he was playing well.

“When that happens, it affects the mood for a day, but, in football, these are the type of things you get used to and very quickly things return to normal.

“I’ll be having a word with the players about it, but they are a good set of boys and I know that, come Saturday, they will only be thinking about Kilmarnock.

“Don’t forget that, while we’ve been going well, we didn’t do ourselves justice against Rangers in our last game and the main thing on our minds is putting that right at the weekend.”

For his first game in charge, Peter has no real injury problems, though last weekend’s postponement at Hamilton means Morgaro Gomis is suspended for this one.

“Apart from Gomis, we only have Wilkie and Sandaza who are not fit, and even Sandaza is now at the stage where he is able to do a lot of hard running.”

While it can be taken as read Peter would love to succeed his old boss on a permanent basis, he will not be shouting his mouth off publicly on the subject.

Right now, he is the front-runner for the job, though a list of candidates will be considered.

Meanwhile, with the SFA formally agreeing to come up with the necessary compensation for Craig, United are keen to put the matter of their shoddy treatment at the hands of the ruling body to bed.

At boardroom level, the main concern is making sure the right permanent appointment is made and keeping the team high in the SPL.

As a festive gesture, all admission prices for the Killie game have been reduced by £5.

Craig Levein was a welcome visitor to Tannadice today as the former Dundee United boss said his farewells to staff and praised them for their efforts during his three years at the club.

And, should he be involved, his mind will flick back to a previous time at Fir Park when he scored as the then First Division Saints triumphed in the Scottish Cup against the Steelmen.

“I’ve actually scored against Motherwell a few times and that Scottish Cup goal was in my last appearance at Fir Park,” said Peter, now in his ninth year with Saints.

“Hopefully, I’ll be involved on Saturday. I look forward to every game and, after being out of the SPL for such a long time, I’m keen to keep playing there.”

Saints are beset by injury woe, especially in defence.

Stuart McCaffrey and Kevin Rutkiewicz are definitely out and there are doubts over Steven Anderson and Dave Mackay.

Also definitely out injured are midfielder Martin Hardie and forwards Andy Jackson and Collin Samuel.

However, Steven Milne, who came on for MacDonald against St Mirren after a lengthy injury absence and performed well, is again in the squad.

Meanwhile, manager Derek McInnes had praise for central defender Graham Gartland, who was in fine form against St Mirren.

“Graham played very well against St Mirren. He’s an honest player, a good professional, and he’s always ready to play his part.”

Having won twice on the road this season in the league, at Hamilton and Hearts, and on the back of last Saturday’s win, Derek takes Saints west knowing what’s required.

He said, “The four wins we have had in the SPL this season have not been due to sparkling performances.

“They have been won by us being dogged, resolute and working hard.

“We have played better in other matches and lost, but that seems to be the nature of the game.”

To celebrate Christmas, Motherwell have dropped the price of their family ticket admission for the game. One adult and two juveniles will be admitted for £25.