Willo Flood returned to action on Saturday in the draw against St Johnstone. The midfielder had been is superb form before he picked up an injury in the Scottish Cup defeat to Hearts in January. However he is back and will have a big part to play in the final few months of the season.

The Irishman started by looking back on Saturday before looking ahead to Wednesday night’s trip to Tannadice.

“Saturday was a bad one. This was because we felt we dominated the second half. If you had a team who were putting you under a lot of pressure and then they score then fair enough but I thought we were looking comfortable and played some nice stuff at times. Then again it is our fault for not killing the game off. Their keeper has made a couple of good saves and then they score out of nothing. So it was a very hard one to take especially with the Celtic result the night before. That is three times this season we have had the chance to claw back points and we have not taken advantage of it.

“I don’t think we played particularly well in the first half if I am being honest but I thought second half we were a lot better. We were basically in their half for most of the second period. Usually St Johnstone put you under a lot of pressure, particularly from dead ball situations but we defended those situations well I thought.

“They scored out of the blue. But that is football sometimes. There have been times this season when we have maybe been poor and have managed to grind out a result. You sometimes forget these games.

“For me personally it was positive just to get back on a football pitch again and to be able to help the team out again and be able to shout at people! It has been good getting back in with the lads. I have been training for a little while now as I was back involved with the Inverness game and was also in the squad that travelled to Partick for the match that got cancelled.

“I was happy with how I was playing before I got injured. People were even giving me man of the match awards so I must have been doing something right! It was just very frustrating again to get injured but you cannot let these things get you down as you can become very negative. You just have to remain positive.

“Obviously it is a blow Adam being out injured. He is a top top player for us but we have other people in the squad who can come in and do a job to help the team. There are boys in the squad who are ready to go. Simon Church I thought played very well. He held the ball up well and did a good job bringing people into play. He had a great left foot volley which Mannus saved. I am sure there is a lot more to come from him as well.

“The young lads will also get their chance. Look at Craig Storie. Jacko and I were out injured but Craig came in and was absolutely brilliant. Frank Ross, Scott Wright, Scott McKenna, Michael Rose and Cammy Smith – there are few down the line, some of whom people maybe don’t know much about but because I have been training with them every day, I know if they are called upon they will be good enough. They are good lads as well. They all have a good attitude which I like. They all work hard at their game. I know when their chance comes they will be ready.

“Wednesday will be difficult. For me it was only a matter of time before Dundee United picked up. Obviously Mixu has implemented his ideas. It takes time. He is getting the results now.

“Aberdeen and Dundee United games are always big matches regardless of where both teams are in the league. We know it is going to be a tough game. Our record this season has been good against them so we need to keep that up. I get a bit of stick! But they are games I enjoy playing in.

“We have a lot to play for.

“If you had said to people at the start of the season we would be six points off first spot at the start of March, I think most people would have taken that.

“I know it was not a great result at the weekend but we have to get away from the negativity. We need positivity. We all need to be together pulling in the same direction – everyone connected to the club whether it be the management, the players, staff, supporters, directors, everyone; if we want to achieve our goal at the end of the season.

“We need to lift the place and get the place bouncing.

“There are a big few months ahead of us.

“I am still as grumpy as usual! I have not calmed down any. That is just the way I am. I think that will be the way I will always be. I will always want to do better and will always want the people round me to do better. It is just the way I am with life in general.

“I always want to win. It is just the way I have been brought up. It was instilled in me from a young age and something that has kept with me throughout my career.”

“I always want to win. It is just the way I have been brought up. It was instilled in me from a young age and something that has kept with me throughout my career.”