RADO Cierzniak insists former team-mate Nadir Ciftci can help fire Dundee United back to the Premiership – and have rivals Hibs quaking in their boots.

Ex-Tannadice keeper Cierzniak is a big fan of frozen-out Celtic frontman Ciftci, who has been linked with a move back to Tayside with Ray McKinnon's men in the January transfer window.

McKinnon is in the market for a proven striker to boost their promotion push as they sit neck-and-neck with the Hibees at the top of the Championship table.

Read more: Erik Sviatchenko: Moussa showed we are playing for a team and not for ourselves

And Polish stopper Cierzniak, who is back in Poland with Legia Warsaw following a three-year spell with United, reckons capturing Ciftci could prove a masterstroke for his former club in the race for the title.

Cierzniak said: "I think Nadir would be a great signing again for United.

"If they could get him, it could be the difference between winning the league or just missing out.

"He was a hero the first time there and I know how much he enjoyed his time at Tannadice.

"Nadir is quality and I'm sure Hibs wouldn't fancy the thought of going up against him – he would give United a real edge in that sense.

"He's the kind of forward who scares opposition defences. They don't know what he's going to do next.

"He's a real goal-scorer who would flourish in the Championship and provide what United seem to be missing."

Read more: Erik Sviatchenko: Moussa showed we are playing for a team and not for ourselves

Meanwhile, gaffer McKinnon insists his players won't let their feet get off the ground in their quest to secure a route back to the top-flight as they savour a 12-game unbeaten run.

McKinnon said: "They're a very focused group of players.

"We won't get carried away by anything.

"Results have been good but we know there's a lot of hard work still to be done."