Daly heads the winner for Dundee United at McDiarmid Park

Dundee United manager Peter Houston says "there is every chance" that his team could pip Celtic to second spot in the Scottish Premier League.

After his team beat St Johnstone 1-0 to move to within five points of Celtic, Houston said: "Why not have a go?"

"I don't want to heap pressure on the players, saying we'll catch them, but we're going to try to win every game.

"Whether we are good enough to do that, I don't know, but I would say the guys in our squad are hungry."

Jon Daly's 83rd-minute header settled the match in Dundee United's favour at McDiarmid Park and, with six matches remaining, Houston's men are eight points clear of fourth-placed Hibernian and 10 ahead of Motherwell.

"I said the other night after the Hibs game (when United won 4-2 at Easter Road) that we were looking behind us rather than in front of us," Houston added.

"Now I've got to say, with getting that eight points and 10 points ahead, why not have a go at it (second place)? We'll do our very best.

"The players have got a wee bit of success just now, we still haven't achieved anything and we look forward to the rest of the season."

The Tannadice side had Dusan Pernis to thank for keeping them in the match at Perth, when he saved a weak spot-kick by Liam Craig as the match entered its closing stages.

And the Slovak received heaps of praise from his relieved manager.

"He is such a calm and influential figure. Nothing ruffles him. When the guys are getting a day off he comes in and trains. He has been magnificent for us," said Houston.

"(Reserve goalkeeper) Stevie Banks told me before the penalty kick was taken that he had told him it was going to the keeper's left - he has obviously studied Liam Craig - and the big man dived there and made a fantastic save at a really crucial part of the game.

"It was a very tough 90 minutes. I'm delighted to come here and get a victory because it's a hard place to come. We defended magnificently tonight."

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