The Argentine promises he’ll get it and stresses no-one at Tannadice has lost sight of the top priority — being 100% ready when the opening SPL game at St Mirren on August 14 comes round.

He said, “I know why the gaffer was not happy on Saturday, because we did not play a good game and he was right to have a go at us.

“It is pre-season, though, and these things happen. Sometimes your sharpness is not good, your precision is off and your passing is short, but we are all working hard.”

So much so, in fact, that, despite that Belfast blip, when asked to sum up the work put in so far during the build-up, Casalinuovo needed just one word — “perfect”.

“The trip to Austria was awesome and the facilities over there were excellent. Individually and for the group it was a chance to put in some hard work,” he added.

“Now games are coming every three or four days and, as players, that is what we need. The games against Raith Rovers and Livingston are perfect because it means almost every player can get 90 minutes over the next two days.

“Then we have more games against good teams from the weekend and they will help us, too. For us, the main thing is that we are ready for St Mirren and the SPL, and I am sure we will be.”

After an encouraging first campaign in Scotland that saw him net nine times in 25 United appearances, he is looking to mount a strong challenge for a regular starting berth at first-team level.

And he’s hoping his weekend effort is the first of many.

“I know it was only a pre-season game, but I was happy to get my first goal of this year. As a striker, you want to be scoring all the time, even in training, so I was happy.

“Even in pre-season you do not want to go one game, then another and then another without scoring, because that hits your confidence.

“I know also that, if I want to be in the team for most games, I will have to score goals. There are many very good strikers at the club and the competition for places in our attack is always strong.”

Casalinuovo is set to be one of those kept back for tomorrow’s Almondvale trip, but tonight’s line-up at Stark’s Park will be laced with first-team men.

With United holding out for a seven-figure fee for the Scottish Cup Final hero and Strachan only talking around half that sum, he has turned his attention elsewhere.

He’s firmed up his interest in former Estonian wonderkid Tarmo Kink and it’s been reported the 24-year-old wide man is now in the north east of England for signing talks and may even have gone through a medical.

Kink, whose early promise earned him a lucrative move from the Baltic state to Spartak Moscow at aged just 17, has been playing in Hungary with Gyori ETO and it’s understood they would take around £250,000 for him.

Now 24, like Conway he can operate as an orthodox winger and also gets into scoring positions — he’s hit the net 15 times in 40 games in Hungarian football.

That Boro are looking so closely at a player whose style mirrors Conway’s could spell good news for The Tangerines and they would be delighted to hang on to the 25-year-old.

It has to be stressed, though, that, officially at least, Middlesbrough are retaining an interest in taking Conway to the Riverside Stadium.

Conway is unlikely to see action tonight or tomorrow when a mix of first-team men and reserves take on Raith Rovers and then Livingston.

That has nothing to do with any uncertainty over his future, but is down to a knock he picked up in the Belfast draw with Glentoran at the weekend.

And of more concern to boss Peter Houston tonight will be the performance of his own Baltic trialist when he takes a strong team to Stark’s Park.

Lithuanian centre-half Irmantas Zelmikas will get another run-out tonight after impressing against Queen’s Park and Glentoran.

And Houstie is now close to deciding whether to offer the 30-year-old international a permanent deal.

“The big man will play tonight and that might be enough for me to decide, but I do have the option of taking him down to Hull at the weekend and deciding after that one — that would definitely be enough before making a decision.”

Tonight and tomorrow will see most of the first time get 90 minutes under their belt and Houstie believes that’s another big step towards full match fitness.

“It’s games they need right now and that’s why we’ve taken games on consecutive nights in each of the last two midweeks.

“Tonight we’ll have a very strong team.

“Pernis, Dillon, Dods, Shala and a few others will be involved and the ones who don’t play will be at Livingston tomorrow.”

Dundee boss Gordon Chisholm described that as “unacceptable” and yesterday it appeared the deal had gone dead.

However, the lack of a follow-up bid could have more to do with the fact Accies — including key administrative staff — are in Spain on a five-day training camp.

Hamilton manager Billy Reid is a confirmed Antoine-Curier fan and the New Douglas Park outfit had representatives at Dundee’s Alba Challenge Cup game against Alloa on Saturday.

While they won’t have been impressed by the striker’s performance, it’s unlikely Reid will have been dissuaded from attempting to snatch Antoine-Curier back after his eight-goal loan spell last season.

Meanwhile, Dundee will have to move fast if they want to secure the services of former Kaiser Chiefs defender Gordon Gilbert.

SPL duo St Mirren and Inverness Caley Thistle are understood to be interested in the 27-year-old Scots-born South African and tonight’s game against Forfar at Station Park may well be the only chance Chis gets to see him in action.

“I had hoped to play Gordon against Alloa on Saturday, but you can’t field trialists in cup matches,” said the manager.

“So he and Johnny Flynn will feature against Forfar and then after that we’ll sit down with them and discuss what we are going to do.

“As far as the rest of the team goes, I’ll maybe play with the shape a wee bit, too.

“Sometimes by doing that you’ll find players are comfortable working in a position where they’re not natural.

“So I’ll maybe have a wee tinker and see how that goes.”

Forfar manager Dick Campbell hopes to have “one or two new faces” in tonight’s line up.

He added, “We are just trying to get up to basic fitness in time for the season to kick off.

“Against Dundee, we’ll try something else again.”

Tonight’s game kicks-off at 7.30 and Forfar have announced reduced admission prices of £8 for adults and £4 concessions.

“I’m fully fit, I’m raring to go and can’t wait for the SPL to start,” said the central defender.

He knows he has a fight on his hands to claim a first team berth with Michael Duberry, Stuart McCaffrey, Graham Gartland, Steven Anderson and Dave Mackay also able to perform with distinction in his position.

“We are very strong at the back,” the former Aberdeen man went on.

“We shipped a lot of goals last season and I put that down to the fact we played open, attacking football and other teams exploited that.

“However, we’ve been working hard and doing well in our pre-season fixtures and training.

“Hopefully, when the competitive action gets under way, our defence will be water tight — and I hope to be part of it and stay part of it.

“I wanted to play a bigger role for the team in the SPL last season, but injuries put paid to that.

“However, it’s so far so good this season and, obviously, I hope it stays that way.”

Kevin is presently in Northern Ireland for a few days with the rest of the Saints squad.

They face Distillery in Lisburn tonight and Dungannon on Thursday.

A back injury rules Murray Davidson out tonight, but it’s hoped he’ll return to training tomorrow.

Jody Morris, who underwent hernia surgery a few weeks ago, has suffered no reaction and may play in part of the Dungannon game.”

Saints return home on Friday and face a Manchester United XI. on Saturday at McDiarmid Park in Alan Main’s testimonial game.