Hegarty has disclosed that new Tannadice chairman Eddie Thompson will make a decision on his future immediately after the final whistle at Rugby Park.

It appears that former Scotland international Hegarty must end United's 18-game run without a victory over Kilmarnock to prevent Thompson looking elsewhere for a new team boss.

Thompson has not been impressed with results under Hegarty in the Scottish Premier League.

But Hegarty now admits: "The Killie game is going to decide my future.

"The chairman has made it clear that he will make a decision about me after seeing what happens on Saturday.

"We got a good result in midweek at Airdrie and we played very well in what was a tricky tie.

"I just hope to get back-to-back wins and give the chairman some food for thought.

"It has been 18 games since we last won against Killie and now is the time to put that right."

Thompson appears to have had doubts about Hegarty's ability to succeed Smith, mounting an unsuccessful bid to persuade Ian McCall to leave Falkirk.

Behind the scenes attempts to lure Steve Paterson from Inverness Caledonian Thistle may also have failed, but Thompson has also received more than 40 applications for the post.

Hegarty's side squandered leads in their last two SPL games before defeating Airdrie.

It is perhaps only his friendship with Thompson and the lack of an immediate replacement that has kept him - if only publicly - in the running to succeed the sacked Smith.