Realising that result left his board of directors in a nightmare position when it came to appointing a team boss, today he quickly moved to aid them. And he did that by revealing he would not be at the helm for much longer.

“I will not be applying for the manager’s job. I had a chat with the chairman last night and I will be speaking to him again today, but I have told him that,” said Peter. “I want to stay at Dundee United and, when someone comes in, if they want to work with me I will be happy to, but I feel sometimes familiarity is not a good thing and that is the case here.

“I feel it would be better for someone fresh to come in, so I have taken this decision to help the club and let the board of directors get on with making an appointment.”

That now leaves the way clear for chairman Stephen Thompson to move swiftly and an appointment is likely before the Scottish Cup trip to Partick Thistle on Saturday week. He has already drawn up a short-list of candidates, though he has not conducted any interviews as yet and is determined to take time to make sure the right man is found.

“I have been doing my homework and I have some people in mind, so now it is about sitting down with the board and deciding the next step,” he said.

“I would like to move forward quickly and I would say that Peter taking the decision has been a help and is typical of him.”

The chairman would not be drawn on who the new boss would be, but among the possibles are John Collins, John McGlynn and even former United winger Allan Irvine, who was sacked by Preston earlier this week.

And an emotional return to Tannadice for club legend Paul Sturrock cannot now be ruled out.

It’s understood he is not keen to take up Plymouth’s offer of a director of football post made in the wake of him being replaced by Paul Mariner as manager there.

“Luggy” has also always said he had unfinished business at United following his first spell in charge and has been lobbying hard to at least be considered for a return.

Even more urgent business for the chairman today was to issue an apology for last night and he did not pull any punches.

“I would like to say to the fans who travelled through last night that this was a performance that was totally unacceptable,” he said. “Whatever the circumstances, that is not something that should ever happen to a Dundee United team.”

As for the caretaker boss, he is demanding a result against Aberdeen on Saturday.

“I still have a game to prepare for on Saturday and it is massive. For the players, it is about picking themselves up and making sure they win,” said Peter.

“What disappointed me most last night was the way very poor individual errors led to goals and it became embarrassing.”

Mihael Kovacevic could be a doubt with a thigh strain.

United have announced that cash turnstiles will be in operation for the game against Aberdeen for both home and away fans.

Today, Jocky was not commenting on the situation regarding long-time target Mihadjuks, but it is understood terms with the former Inverness Caley defender have been agreed.

However, the deal has stalled over the subject of agent’s fees and, in this case, the man in question is looking for a £20,000 pay-off.

That’s not impressed the Dark Blues and he has been told any payment would be a matter between him and his client.

Having also seen news of an interest in bringing Aberdeen full-back Charlie Mulgrew to Dens next season leaked, it is fair to say agents are not Jocky’s favourite people right now.

He’s made it clear he will not tolerate them using Dundee to stir up interest in players.

“I’ve said I will be speaking to players whose contracts are coming to an end with a view to coming here next season.

“Before I offer anyone anything, though, I will have to be convinced they want to come here and play for Dundee and are not just looking for a fat pay-cheque.

“And, when it comes to revealing who I am after, it will be a matter for me and not agents. I’ll decide that and anyone who leaks names will be costing their player the chance of a move here.”

Meanwhile, the Dark Blues today confirmed Mickael Antoine-Curier’s loan deal at Hamilton has been extended until the end of the season.

Knowing how important this game is, it’s thought one of the Perth club’s biggest away turnouts of the season are heading for the match.

“Not many SPL teams win three-in-a-row and that is what we’ll be out to do,” said Perth team boss Derek McInnes.

The game gives Saints the chance to put more distance between themselves and bottom-of-the-league Falkirk but, as Derek added, “Falkirk will see this as a chance to win three points.”

He went on, “Hopefully, my team will get the goals necessary to win the game — and put in a good performance as well.”

Defender Dave Mackay has been suffering a hip injury, but is set to start, and Peter MacDonald, buoyed up by his hat-trick against Motherwell, is likely to again find a starting place up front.

Derek was, naturally, delighted with that contribution and said, “His finishing was clinical. Now his challenge is to keep producing goals and good performances.”

Of more than passing interest to the Saints boss will be news that Australia veteran Craig Moore has been released by A-League side Brisbane Roar following a fallout with coach Ange Postecoglou.

The 34-year-old has already spoken to Derek as he sought a short-term loan move to a European side in order to boost his chances of making the Socceroos squad for the 2010 World Cup.

However, Roar have today stated that former Rangers and Newcastle defender Moore will instead leave the club with immediate effect.

“During discussions with Craig over the past eight weeks he made it clear he was unhappy working under Ange Postecoglou at the club,” chief executive Peter McLennan said.

“On at least two occasions during that time, Craig issued me with the ultimatum that either Ange went or he did.

“Clearly, over recent weeks, the club has begun to move in a new and exciting direction and the bottom line is that no individual is bigger than the club.”