Dundee United manager Ian McCall paid tribute to David McCracken after the defender scored his first goal of the season to halt United's poor form.
He said: "I said last season that I couldn't see a Dundee United team without David McCracken.
"Certainly he has all the attributes to be a top class centre back and he knows we think the world of him.
He added: "But he needs to take it on from here and perform at a more consistent level."