A huge 17-point advantage over seventh-placed Aberdeen means that, even with six games to go until the league splits, the first objective of a top-half-of-the-table finish for a third year running has been achieved.

Now Casalinuovo sees no harm in revealing he and his team-mates plan to stay in the third slot that was wrestled away from Hibs last week when they were held at Easter Road and United beat Falkirk.

“It’s not going to be easy, because Hibs, Motherwell and even Hearts will all believe they can be third, and the way Motherwell have climbed the league shows what you can do if you win some games in a row,” he said.

“However, we are back in third and we want to stay there. To do that means we have to keep winning, but I believe we can do that. If we can win on Sunday, it will be a big result for us, because then one of the teams who are close to us will be looking at the league and seeing we have made the gap to them bigger.”

Although this is his first experience of Scottish football, the 23-year-old is aware that tradition means Jim Jefferies’ team are likely to push United hard in the coming weeks.

“I know that, here in Scotland, Hearts are a big club, who are used to being near the top of the league, and they have won some games recently. I also know from earlier this season that games against Hearts are very tough and you need to play well to beat them, and this time will not be different.”

He is confident, however, United have the firepower to get three points and such is the quality of attacker at gaffer Peter Houston’s disposal, admits just getting a place in the side gives him a boost.

“We have good strikers. Jon Daly, Goodie and Danny Cadamarteri are all very good players and, before long, Francisco Sandaza will be back. When I look at these names and see I am in the team it gives me confidence, and I am very happy at the number of games I have had.

“I was very happy when I signed for Dundee United, but my aim for my first season was to work hard, play some games and then build from there next season, so I am very pleased I have played in so many games. It is good because of the players we have and, because of that, I think we always have a good chance of scoring goals.”

Boss Peter Houston was sticking to his policy of looking no further forward than the next fixture and he predicted a close-fought game against a team who’ve been boosted by the return as manager of a man he knows very well.

“You can never expect an easy game when you face Hearts, because they are a big club with plenty of players capable of doing a good job,” he said.

“Jim Jefferies has come in and given them a lift, but that does not surprise me because you are talking about an experienced SPL manager who knows how to go about his business. He’s already brought Kilmarnock up here this season and taken a point, and he’ll want at least as much with Hearts, but we’ll be looking for another win ourselves.”

After feeling his calves tight while playing for Scotland on Wednesday night, Andy Webster faces a fitness check and striker Jon Daly will also be assessed over the next 48 hours. He missed the win over Falkirk with a thigh problem.

Fans are reminded Sunday’s game has a 3.30 pm KO.