Jimmy Thelin met with the media on Friday afternoon to preview our game against Dundee on Saturday.

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Gavin Molloy & The Squad

“Gavin is going to be out for six to eight weeks. It is a ligament in the knee. That is what we know right now. It is a blow because he has shown this season he has a part to play. He has had injury issues before. I was hoping it was nothing bad, but it is what it is. Now we have to support him and make him come back. He has been really important when he has been playing for us, as a wing back or a centre back. That is football, and we have to support him and make him come back as quick as possible.

“Everybody else is ready to play. We have a lot of games to come, so you need to balance the squad right for tomorrow, and then we have another game again next Thursday. We are looking forward to it. It is a lot of games, but we like to play games. We are trying to stay on the right track now and keep improving our performance over 90 minutes, ready for the next challenge.

Wednesday night against St Mirren

“The most important thing is putting things in the past. In that moment it feels frustrating because you did a really good game but only got one point at home. But the next game is around the corner and you have to put all your energy into that one.

“Look at the positive things we did, try to adjust some parts like how we managed the last ten minutes, and some decisions when we had control of the ball. We have to grow and keep improving. We are still not halfway through the split, and we have to keep growing every week and take the steps to be where we want at the end of the season.

“Overall it was quite good (St Mirren game), but some moments hurt us. St Mirren used  those situations 100% better and did it really well. Some parts we need to do better. In some games you do not get punished, but this time we did.

“I think we defended quite okay, but we got hurt in some moments and they used it fully. Now we keep focus on the right things and do a better game. It is going to be a difficult game away. Dundee beat St Mirren 3-1, they have quality. It’s an away game, you have to stay focused and do a really good performance tomorrow.

Using the squad

“Right now it is about using the squad and balancing the squad because it is the third game in six days. We need to use the energy. We rotated and tried to get maximum from every player. Sometimes you start someone, sometimes bench. We needed something more, because we played quite well for sixty to seventy minutes but did not have enough quality inside the box. We wanted more crosses, and sometimes it works really well. It worked in that game. It depends on what you need, more control or more power into the box.

Strengths of Dundee

“That last Dundee game was in the past. This is another game, and it is away. To be consistent you refocus every game. We were strong lately, and that is why there was frustration last game, scoring three at home and not winning. But overall, it was a good performance and we are taking the right steps.

“Dundee are compact and a good team. Against Celtic it was tough but they stayed in the game. Every game is tough and the table is tight. We have to do everything really well, respect their strengths, and use their weaknesses.

“Dundee play with more width now, more narrow and direct than before. It will be a different challenge. You try to make the best of the players and find your own way, but you make strategic adjustments without changing the overall approach.

Team Game

“If a player scores every week, everyone is happy, but you need pressing, defending, sharing responsibility. It is a team. The competition now is good. Yengi and Peter (Ambrose) have not played a lot but did well in training. Competition forces everyone to take an extra step. They are good teammates, pushing each other and respecting each other. It is a long season, no breaks. We need everyone. When they do not play, they are not happy, but they act well. The challenge pushes them and helps them take the next step or stay consistent.

“The World Cup motivation is strong. I have that in mind. Competition in the squad too. No one is happier than me if they reach their dream.