THERE was a YouTube clip doing the rounds earlier this week.
It showed a nifty bit of footwork from Gary Mackay-Steven amid Dundee United's comprehensive victory over St Johnstone, the spry winger using a moment of brazen ingenuity to evade his marker before releasing a cross into the penalty area. It was all very impressive and is something that Peter Houston would like to see much more of from the youngster.
Not the crafty flick – although he would not discourage it – rather the sight of Mackay-Steven choosing the right moment to release a pass for United's forwards. The former Liverpool youth has enjoyed a prodigious season with United but his manager believes that timing has always been his flaw. The thought of Mackay-Steven ameliorating that aspect of his game will likely cause a few defenders in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League to shudder.
"Gary is a very exciting player and he has done brilliantly for us since he came into the team," said Houston, whose side face St Mirren today. "We know that if we get the ball into the box then guys like Jon Daly will be there to get on the end of them. That's one thing we are saying to Gary – get the ball into the box. He can learn from Paul Dixon in that respect because he knows how to put it in the penalty box. I don't care how Gary beats a man as long as he does it then it's all about getting good delivery."
Houston was not quite as effusive about his side's ambitions in the league this season, yet he will privately be looking to consolidate their place in the top six. St Mirren could leapfrog them with a win at Tannadice, though, although that fact may be lost on some.
Jeroen Tesselaar had never encountered a league split before he arrived in Paisley in the summer and seems somewhat amused by the whole process. "I didn't know there was a split until the beginning of the season," said the Dutch defender. "When you play in Holland and you are in the middle of the league, the teams are playing for nothing so the way the league works here makes it more exciting.
"It will be a very hard game against Dundee United, we played well against them earlier in the season and drew the match 1-1. Since then both teams have improved so it should be an exciting match."
St Mirren have also taken encouragement from reaching the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night. "It makes it easier when you have a win, everyone just wants to get on with the next game," said Tesselaar. "There is always pressure as those on the sidelines are desperate to come in."
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