Hospital bound Dougie Imrie’s chances of playing in tomorrow’s Premiership play-off final second leg, but with his parting shot as he left Tannadice on Thursday he expressed his determination to make every effort to take the field.

The veteran winger was clearly in considerable distress in the closing stages of the first leg against Dundee United which ended goalless.

With all three subs used and skipper Massimo Donati also hobbling through the closing moments as a result of a groin problem they were consequently hanging on for a draw rather than able to capitalise on opposition striker Simon Murray’s controversial dismissal.

However with similarly combative midfielder Darian Mackinnon already ruled out through suspension, Imrie’s commitment to the cause could prove crucial and he knew it.

"I got kneed in the side of the ribs and I don't have long to get better. I'm off to hospital now to get it checked on,” he revealed.

"I'm in a considerable amount of pain I don't know if that means taking ibuprofen or a jag but if I need to play through the pain barrier then I am willing to do it.”

Whatever damage he had suffered Imrie admitted that he and his team-mates may have got a different kind of break when it mattered with the referee’s decision to send off Murray for diving rather than award what TV replays demonstrated was a clear penalty against Scott McMann.

"He took a little while to decide, didn't he? It was a bit of a heart in mouth moment,” he said.

“I couldn't really see from where I was, but the manager says if we have got away with it we deserve it because the way things have gone against us this season and that's the way I look at it too.

“I thought he was going to point to the spot and thankfully he didn't, so like the gaffer says, we've had a few given against us this season so to get the rub of the green for once is great.

“Don't get me wrong, you never want to see anyone sent off but we've got the rub of the green there.”

Accies might consequently seem entitled to be confident after holding their opponents on the road, but Imrie reckoned United’s experience in the play-off semi-final means they will not be fearful of making the trip to Hamilton and their artificial surface at New Douglas Park.

"We are at home and I'm not sure Dundee United will like coming to play on our AstroTurf, but they got a good result on the plastic pitch at Falkirk last week and scored two late goals,” he noted.

“They will be up for it, but if we play like that again then hopefully we will create enough chances to win the game and stay up.”

Imrie is one of the Accies players who can draw upon the experience of having been in this position before when they caused a major upset in the first ever Premiership play-offs three years ago when they recovered from a 2-0 deficit in the home leg of their final against Hibs to earn promotion on penalties at Easter Road.

However his respect for their opponents this time around was also evident in his explanation that they consequently have additional reason to be wary and must match United’s will in what is now a do-or-die encounter.

"We all saw Dundee United's spirit at Falkirk. They have spirit but we have spirit too,” said Imrie.

“Whoever turns up on Sunday and plays the better football and scores goals will be the team in the Premiership next season.

"But we know what's at stake. We've been here before.”