“We’ve been on a decent run, but I don’t think any of our results have been better than that one at Douglas Park,” said Houstie.

“I thought that at the time and that was quickly confirmed by the troubles Rangers had there in the league and the Scottish Cup. As we have found to our cost both home and away, nothing comes easy against them and I know tonight will be no different.”

Some may believe he’s being over-cautious as he prepares for a clash with a team who have not won in seven league outings since a shock 2-1 success at Aberdeen in early December.

That run has seen Accies fall into the relegation place, but Peter is quick to point to United’s troubles against them over the past couple of seasons as proof of the ability in Billy Reid’s squad.

“Here at Tannadice, we’ve only managed to draw with them twice thanks to extremely late equalisers from us and we’ve had problems down there as well,” he added.

“On top of that, while they have not been on the best of runs, as a rule no-one has been hammering them. They are a team that gives very little away and I think it is going to be a game where we have to work very hard to win. It would be great to think we can get an early goal that opens them up a bit, but we have to prepare for a night where patience from players and fans might be the key.

“At their place last month, we had to grind out the win with a late goal and, if that’s the case again, we have to be ready to do that.”

United look set to be without Andy Webster again because of calf trouble and know for definite regular full-backs Paul Dixon and Mihael Kovacevic will be missing.

They remain hopeful of clearance coming through in time for new signing Pavels Mihadjuks to make his debut and, that being the case, he will line up on the right of the defence with Sean Dillon switching to the left.

And his new gaffer is confident the Latvian will settle quickly.

“So far as clearance goes, we’ve got a couple of contacts over there and Pavels knows a few people who can, hopefully, make sure it comes in time. In terms of him playing, he is an experienced player who knows what this league is all about, so I think he’ll handle it.”