RYAN DOW, the Dundee United winger, last night insisted his performances would keep improving, and aims to repay manager Jackie McNamara for showing faith in his ability.

The 22-year-old is currently in the form of his life, but had to bide his time to make the breakthrough and secure a regular starting place at United. Dow, who was born and raised in Dundee, will no doubt be key to tonight's crucial Tannadice showdown with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, with the winger insisting he remains on course to eclipse anything he has already achieved.

"I have waited a while," Dow admitted. "That was down to different circumstances in the past. Maybe I hadn't played that well or not been given a chance. Now, though, I have been given a run of games by the gaffer. I have really appreciated that and hopefully I have shown people what I can offer the team. I also still think there is more to come from me.

"The manager has shown he believes in me by given me these opportunities. I am grateful to him."

Inverness will arrive on Tayside with memories still fresh of their 5-0 hammering from United in the William Hill Scottish Cup just a few weeks ago, and Dow is sure John Hughes' men will be looking for some sort of payback on the night.

He said: "This time it will be really tough because they might be out for a wee bit of revenge for that cup defeat.

"I watched the highlights of their win over Partick Thistle and that was a great result for them, one that will have given them confidence."

But Gary Warren, the Inverness defender, insists his side are far too focused on the chase for Europe to entertain thoughts of revenge. That humiliating 5-0 defeat was the club's worst ever home loss, but one which will have little bearing on Warren's thinking ahead of tonight's crunch match in the battle for Europe.

"It was disappointing we lost so heavily," he said. "As a footballer you hate to lose, particularly in that manner. But I don't think this one is a revenge mission against Dundee United. It's just a case of trying to carry on from Saturday's victory against Partick."