Dundee United boss Peter Houston believes Willo Flood is close to returning to his best.
By his own admission, the Irish midfielder has struggled since returning to Tannadice for his second spell at the club in the summer.
However, after Flood turned in a star performance in the 4-1 win over Dunfermline on Saturday, Houston hopes he is on the brink of a sustained spell of form in the forthcoming testing run of games which sees United face Rangers, Hearts, Motherwell and Celtic.
Houston said: ”Willo’s had a slow start and he’s the first to admit that. We’ve spoken about it but we always knew he’d come good.
”I rate Willo very highly and that’s the reason I brought him back to the club in the summer. He’s normally a slow-starter to the season but he’s beginning to show signs that he’s back to his best.
”In the last couple of games he’s been excellent and has had the necessary mental strength to bounce back from missing the penalty against Falkirk in the League Cup last week.
”He’s going to get better. I’ve no worries about Willo because he’s a very good player. He has a great influence in the dressing-room in terms of his work-rate, effort and commitment.
”For a small guy, he tackles and fights above his weight and is just so honest every day in training and during games.”
Houston also took time out to praise the contribution of Paul Dixon who scored a stunning opener for United at East End Park. He told the full-back that if he keeps producing the goods he’ll do his hopes of an international recall no harm.
Houston said: ”Dicker has just got to keep playing away. It’s a difficult one because Lee Wallace is back playing and Phil Bardsley is also a top player in that position.
”What Paul has got to do is keep his head down and make sure he carries on playing well for Dundee United. You never know what can happen in the future.”
United hope to have Garry Kenneth back for Saturday’s trip to Ibrox after he missed the Dunfermline game.
Houston added: ”Garry is back training. He’s had some groin and hip problems and played through the pain barrier for two games against St Johnstone and Falkirk which probably made them worse.”