While games in hand mean, mathematically, both the Dons and eighth-placed St Johnstone could catch them, Houstie accepts his side have now achieved their first target for the season.

“Put it this way, I would now be very disappointed if we are not in the top six come the split. The players have done very well and, in that regard, I think we are safe,” he said.

It will be the third year running United have recorded a top-half finish and, while he is taking nothing for granted regarding the top three, the gaffer did not hide his delight with the present position.

“I still think it’s premature to be talking about who is going to be third, because Hibs and Motherwell are right in there fighting as well.

“There are going to be twists and turns, and we’ve got both of them to play in the next few weeks and again after the split, so there is a lot to happen.

“For me, what is good is that we have put ourselves in a situation where we are not scrambling to be in the top half of the table and that means we can concentrate on finishing as high up the league as possible.”

After putting in what, he felt, was a huge effort to edge out Hearts, Houstie gave his players the day off today, and tomorrow will see his thoughts turn to this coming Sunday and the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Rangers.

And he hopes to have full-back Paul Dixon available for that, despite him limping off with an ankle knock yesterday.

“It’s Dicker’s right ankle that’s puffed up a bit this time, not the left, which was what kept him out for a few games last month,” he added.

“With this kind of thing, you usually have to wait a couple of days before you can judge how quickly it’s going to settle down, but our first impression is it will be OK again in days and we’ll have him for Sunday.”

Meanwhile, after complaints from both clubs, the Tayside derby between St Johnstone and United on Easter Monday will kick-off at 7.30 p.m.

When it was originally switched from the previous Saturday afternoon, a 4 pm start was pencilled in to suit broadcasters ESPN, but the clubs pointed out that would not suit many supporters.

And, while Jocky felt, had the final whistle come a few minutes later, his men may have won, he was not happy.

“For 70 minutes we were OK at times, but not great, give away two bad goals and then suddenly start playing, look hungry to get on the ball and, if the game had gone another 10 minutes, could have won,” he said.

“That baffles me and it’s hard to explain, but it is not something I want repeated, because to win games we have to play like we did near the end and not the way we did before.

“The players have shown they can play and, if they do, I am confident we will win most of our matches, but it has to be the way we finished on Saturday for most of our games, not just parts.”

Jocky was unhappy with two bad goals lost and that could point to a place for new signing Bob Malcolm when Raith Rovers visit in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

The ex-Ranger would have been on the bench against Caley Thistle, but a lack of international clearance after his short stint with Australian’s Brisbane Roar meant he could not be used. That’s a situation Dundee are not happy about.

“We started the process of getting clearance last Wednesday, even before he’d trained with us, so it’s not great that they did not process it in time.

“You would think that a country like Australia could have got it done a lot quicker than this. It’s something that’s beyond our control and now the main thing is it’s done before this weekend.”

Malcolm should get a chance to work on his match fitness when St Johnstone are faced in a closed-door game tomorrow and also included will be Sean Higgins and Craig McKeown.

David Cowan, who has been doing some training as his recovery from groin surgery continues, is unlikely to get part of that game.

He was not detained overnight and, after resting at home for a couple of days, was in his office first thing this morning.

“I’m fine and I felt a lot worse on Saturday when I heard we were two down to Inverness than I did on Friday night,” he said today.

Later this year, he will run in the Chicago Marathon, through which he aims to raise £50,000 for charity.

Jody Morris has had no reaction to his stomach ailment and will be OK for the Falkirk game, which boss Derek McInnes describes as “massive.”