Experienced midfielder John Rankin believes off-field distractions will easily be set aside by Dundee United today given the scale of the task confronting the would-be Premiership title contenders when Inverness visit Tannadice.

"Obviously you look at Monday and you see fourth v fifth at the time and now it's third v fourth tomorrow, another massive game. Caley are flying at the moment," said the 31-year-old.

"I saw them last week and was very impressed by them. They went down to 10 men and a goal down at the same time and the spirit they had to come back and get three points was impressive.

"It was a typical John Hughes spirited team... They created a lot of good chances when they were down to 10 men, so we know how difficult it's going to be and it's a game we can look forward to."

The midfielder, who signed for the club in 2011 just a few weeks before Gary Mackay-Steven, whose departure to Celtic this summer was confirmed yesterday, also made it clear that United's own team spirit has been unaffected by the transfer talk surrounding his club-mate.

"You know what it's like, we've just been on his case constantly: "Are you still here?"...

"Every time he answers his phone it's 'Is that Ronnie? Ronnie...'

"It's just part and parcel of it. You're better having a laugh and a joke about it rather than being worried about it and being down or not talking because you don't want to tell anybody about it.

"He's been here as long as I have and I've enjoyed every minute of playing with him."

Rankin acknowledged that it had been inevitable that there would be considerable interest in Mackay-Steven.

"He's been in great form the last three or four games, he's been unbelievable," he said.

"When you see some of the situations he gets himself out of, how good his feet are and he scores as well. That's four goals in three games, he's in top, top form."

He will also be around for the rest of this campaign and Rankin welcomed the prospect of United's trophy pursuit being boosted by the recruitment of another quality forward with Henri Arnier, the Estonian striker, set to join their ranks.

"Anier is a very difficult opponent, a strong boy, quick, causes a lot of problems in any game he played in. I remember playing against him a few times and he was always a really difficult opponent and one you kept an eye on," he said.

"If he can come in and do that for us then great."

Rankin added that Monday's 3-2 win at Hamilton had shown that United have what it takes to win trophies, albeit he believes they need to tighten up.

"Being two nil up and then coming back to two each there was a lot of nerves, but I don't think the character's ever been questioned," he said.

"The disappointing thing is that we need to score three goals away from home again to go and win a game. Hopefully over the coming weeks we can sort that out."