Thomas Konrad admits the start of 2015 was far from a happy new year for him as he endured what was the worst day of his football career.
The German centre-half was in the Dundee team mauled 6-2 by near neighbours United at Tannadice on January 1.
It was a day to forget for everyone of a Dark Blue persuasion as the Tangerines ran riot and Dundee boss Paul Hartley made the decision after the game to take Konrad out of the firing line to recharge his batteries and rebuild his confidence.
However, the summer signing was restored to the starting line-up two games ago and his return has coincided with two clean sheets for the Dens Park side which has helped extend their run to eight league games without a loss.
Konrad said: “We’ve got to be happy with that.
“We’re feeling good and confident going into the next game at Ross County.
“That’s the positive thing for me, to have two clean sheets in the past two games.
“That’s the most important thing for me, just like it is for a striker to score goals at the other end.
“The back-four are doing well and for most of the season I think that’s been the case.
“The New Year’s Day game was really disappointing because it’s a derby and you obviously want to do your best but we conceded six goals.
“I think it was the worst day of my football career. I can’t remember when I ever lost six goals in one game.”
Konrad admitted that the hectic schedule of games in Scotland had been a bit of a culture shock for him.
Back in Germany he was used to having a winter break and he understands why his manager took the decision to rest him.
Konrad added: “It wasn’t easy for me at the start of the year.
“But it was a decision by the gaffer.
“It came at the right time for me as I felt a little bit tired.
“But now I’m back and feeling good, back in shape. In Germany, we had a break for three two-and-a-half to three months.
“Every week here though there is a game so it’s not easy for me. It’s much more intense here.
“The training during the week in Germany is harder but we don’t play as often.
“So it’s harder here than back home.
“We play more games here while in Germany we only play maybe 34 games.
“There are not so many cup games as there are here in Scotland and I’ve now played 27 games already.
“I can’t remember ever playing 27 games in one season.
“All my friends who play in Germany were on holiday over the Christmas period but when I chatted to them it was a bit strange saying to them, ‘I have a game tomorrow and a few games overall in just a few days’.”
Dundee will face a Staggies side bolstered by two wins on the bounce that have helped haul them off the bottom of the Premiership table.
However, Konrad insists the Dark Blues will travel north confident they can secure all three points.
The defender added: “They have picked up with two wins in a row. It won’t be an easy game especially there.
“We’ll see but we’re confident we can win the game and hopefully keep another clean sheet.
“We’re not playing that well, or as well as we probably can but if we can play at our best we can beat anyone in the league.”
Dundee will be without the injured Gary Irvine, Kosta Gadzhalov, Paul Heffernan, Iain Davidson and Luka Tankulic.