“Rather than talking about being frustrated at not scoring more goals I would like to talk about the positives.

“It was a very strong performance.

“At times in the first half we gave Dundee a wee bit of encouragement when we were a wee bit loose with our defensive work but in the second half we kept their better players quiet. Harkins, Stewart and Hemmings can be influential and for the majority of the game we kept them quiet.

“We could have scored off two or three set-pieces and a combination of their keeper making good saves and us being a wee bit loose with our finishing meant that the game was won by one goal. Rooney did what he does best to get on the end of Jonny’s cross. It could have been more comfortable and sometimes that comes back to bite you but tonight it didn’t and our defence played a big part in that.

“The ground staff deserve a lot of credit because the pitch took a bit of a battering in between Christmas and New Year but it still played difficult tonight. In the second half we played the game more in their half rather than encouraging them by giving ourselves problems. We played with a lot of thought, real determination and fight, we should have won by more goals but one was enough and I am really pleased with the whole performance.

“There is always a competitive element to the team. Sometimes players play well individually and sometimes it doesn’t quite happen for them but there is always an honesty to try and get the game going our way and to get momentum and that was demonstrated form the start tonight.

“We went out to get the second goal and even though it didn’t come I felt confident that one would be enough tonight. It keeps the run going to ten games unbeaten in the league so that is two strong runs we have had and we want to keep this one going as long as possible. The players deserve a lot of plaudits for that tonight as it was a good win.

“We have shown that we are a team that is capable of going on the sort of run that we are on. Every game is a challenge for us and there is work to be done in every game that we play so that then game unbeaten run pleases me.

“It’s important that we get as many wins as we can between now and the end of the season and the toughest game is coming up for us now when we play Celtic. The last game we lost in the league was at Celtic Park but I see this as a real opportunity now to win that game. We have beaten them here before with ten men which helps and we should feel confident going into it. As good as they are, and they are getting stronger, I think it is a real opportunity for us in a game we are looking forward to.

“I’ve told the players that they can have a few days off now but we will be ready for the game when it comes round. There will be a lot spoken about between now and then but we are just looking forward to the 90 minutes and putting ourselves up against a good team.”

“I’ve told the players that they can have a few days off now but we will be ready for the game when it comes round. There will be a lot spoken about between now and then but we are just looking forward to the 90 minutes and putting ourselves up against a good team.”