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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to travel to Rangers on Saturday.
Here are the main points:
- Winger Kristijan Trapanovski, who is out of contract in summer, will "probably miss the rest of the season" after having knee surgery on Wednesday.
- Goodwin says it has been a "difficult campaign" for Trapanovski, adding: "When he's fit and on it he's one of the best wingers in the league but unfortunately the injuries have curtailed his progress."
- After an impressive victory over Celtic, Goodwin admits the international break "probably came at the wrong time given the form we were in going into it". But the United boss is hopeful the week off "doesn't curtail that positive momentum we had".
- Goodwin is pleased "the guys who were away on international duty all came back injury free" and is "looking forward for the trip to Ibrox".
- The United boss says his side have to "take a lot of confidence" from their "dominant" performance against Celtic.
- United need to beat Rangers – and Falkirk lose at Motherwell – to keep alive their slim top-six hopes and Goodwin knows "there's so much at stake for both teams" at Ibrox. He adds: "We're still pushing for top six even though we need all the cards to fall in our favour. We've certainly not given up hope."
- The Tangerines are unbeaten against Rangers this season and "have to believe in ourselves" at Ibrox, with Goodwin adding: "We've had a settled team so there won't be too many changes. We're just hoping for a repeat performance of the one we got against Celtic."
- On playing at Ibrox: "If Rangers don't get an early goal things can turn in the opponents' favour and that's what we need to do on Saturday. We have to try and get in their faces and when we get the opportunity to play, show a bit of courage and bravery."
- Isaac Pappoe is a long-term injury but apart from that Goodwin says his squad are "in good shape" although "this game probably comes too soon for Johnny Russell".
