Tam Courts knows Dundee United have had to show patience with striker Marc McNulty but trusts he can now step up and help them net their top six Premiership goal.
United head to fourth-placed Hibernian at the weekend knowing a win in Leith would guarantee them a top-half finish.
McNulty has yet to hit the previous heights that won him Scotland recognition in 2019 but he came up trumps with a dramatic injury-time winner at St Mirren last time out.
The 29-year-old also heads back to Easter Road, where he previously had a loan spell and won his international breakthrough.
Head coach Courts said: “This season was the first long-term injury Marc has had in his career so he had to deal with that and come back into the team mid-way through the season.
“What we need is those players continuing to step up and he’s one of those that has been doing that.
“For a while we needed to click in attack, that was the missing element, and we need to keep that going for this final push over the next six weeks or so.”
United are away to Hibs and then have a home derby against Dundee before the split. Courts is well aware how important Saturday is with his team holding just a two point lead on chasing Hibs.
Courts knows if McNulty and January signing Tony Watt can click between now and the end of the season then it could have a major bearing on United’s campaign.
Watt came in from Motherwell as the Premiership’s top scorer but has also been sidelined by injury.
United have struggled for goals but Courts knows they have players like Watt, McNulty and Clark who have shown throughout their careers that they know where the net is.
He added: “He’s come back and it’s been about forming a partnership with Tony Watt.
“Marc has scored a couple of goals lately, he’s a big player - an international player.
“You have seen him lately form that relationship with Tony and it will only get stronger.”
Courts also knows that his side need to supply the ammunition over the next two games and if they can do that then his United team will get the job done. They are keen to avoid another season of heartbreak after missing out last season.
A key player in providing crosses and chances could be Finnish international Ilmari Niskanen.
He arrived as a winger but has been employed further back in recent weeks as a wing- back. Courts has already said versatility is important within his squad and Niskanen is proving that.
Courts explained: “Prior to signing Ilmari we identified he could play as a wing-back on the left or the right.
“With Finland they play that system so it is something he’s experienced before, so we knew we were signing a winger who was versatile that way.
“By Ilmari’s own admission, he’s identified how much he enjoys playing there because it gives him the full pitch to run into.
“And being such a fit guy, it’s really suiting him to play in that position these days.”
Niskanen has had to work on the defensive side of his game but Courts knows that the Finn is the player who wants to continually work and to improve.
Courts added: “Have we had to do much work on the defensive side? A lot of it has come naturally to him, but obviously there’s work involved in getting used to any position.
“Ilmari is very clever tactically, he understands the detail and knows what we are expecting of him.
“He’s someone we enjoy working with and we can see improving.
“The fans have taken to him, he’s very approachable away from football as well - so people like that about him.”
United will be waiting to see if American midfielder Ian Harkes will be able to recover from an ankle knock for the trip to the capital.
Courts also has concerns over Welsh midfielder Dylan Levitt.
He has withdrawn from the Wales squad because of illness.
