the managers pre match conference

“I hope we get a return for our reasonable efforts in the games that we’ve been unfortunate in recently, particularly the two Hibs games and against St Mirren who had come here after a good run of form actually having beaten Celtic and Inverness. We played better than they did so we’ve got to try and turn the superiority in to goals which we haven’t been doing recently.

“We need a break. We’ve missed two penalty kicks this year which are critical but I am not to displeased with the way we are playing in particular in the way we are defending, no-one is finding it easy to score against Aberdeen, we just need to score and I think there will be a transformation in our fortune.

“I am well aware there has been a bit of flak flying recently but I would like to thank the many true supports who have emailed, text or left message of encouragement for the team. Most fans have asked me to transmit their goodwill to the players and, obviously, I have been happy to do so.

“Every game with Dundee is a close game and just because they are at the bottom and detached a bit I don’t think for one minute it will be an easy game, in fact it makes them more dangerous. We want to successes and finish as high in this SPL as possible. Games round about us have been favourable in terms of results, as long as it’s tight there I think we have the capability to go on a run of games and get close to the top.

“We are delighted that we got a full 90 minutes from Ryan Jack, Gary Naysmith got 60 minutes, coming off as a precaution and Rob Milsom who needed some game time. All three are in the squad for the game. We’re getting as near as we can in terms of a fully fit squad.

“Second place is a target. I am optimistic, always. Second place is five points ahead of us so we need a couple of wins to get in touch and I think we’ve got the capability within the squad to get the wins.”

RedTV | to watch Craig Brown’s media conference in full please click here