Paul Dixon has strongly refuted suggestions that anyone in the Dundee United dressing-room is feeling sorry for themselves following the departure of star men Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong during the January transfer window.
That theory was put forward by radio pundits on Wednesday night following the Tangerines’ 4-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead in their Scottish Cup quarter-final replay, just three days after the bitter League Cup Final defeat at Hampden against the same opponents.
However, while naturally disappointed about both results, Dixon insisted it is time to move on.
When asked if the players were indeed feeling sorry for themselves, the full-back said: “It’s just everyone blowing Gaz and Stu’s move out of proportion, to be honest.
“These boys have done well and got themselves a move.
“It’s time for us to wish them luck, get on with our game and concentrate on our club.
“Now we’re out both cups, we just have to focus on trying to get as high up the league as we can.”
That ambition to climb the Premiership table starts this afternoon in what is the fourth instalment in the at-times-bitter recent saga of games with Celtic, once again in the East End of Glasgow.
Mackay-Steven and Armstrong missed the first three matches because they were cup-tied but they will be available for this encounter and Dixon admitted it will be challenging if Hoops boss Ronny Deila decides to play them against their old side.
He said; “Yes, it will be tough.
“If anyone knows them it’s us because they played here for so many years.
“I’ve played with Gaz and Stu in my time before. They obviously came more prominently in the time I was away.
“If anybody knows how to play those two guys, then it’s us.
“If they play, then great and it will be a good game I’m sure.”
Dixon was a frustrated spectator at Celtic Park on Wednesday night as he was suspended following his red card in the first meeting between the sides at Tannadice.
The 28-year-old was dismissed for what referee Craig Thomson deemed was deliberate hand-ball, something the player strongly denies.
Dixon said: “It’s not easy (watching on Wednesday) especially when I got red-carded for what I got red-carded for.
“In another game, I probably wouldn’t have been sent-off.
“I thought it was harsh. I just made an instinctive block of the ball.
“I wasn’t even looking at the ball.
“You see it in the game all the time, people using their arms for leverage, jumping for a ball.
“You have to use your arms to get yourself up for a header.
“It’s a natural thing to do in your running motion as well.
“But it’s happened and you just have to get on with it.”
Dixon’s red was one of six in total during the three recent games involving United and Celtic but Dixon denied that there was any bad blood between the teams.
He said: “It’s unique I think the fact we’re playing them four times in a row.
“I’ve experienced it in Scotland playing teams seven times in a season, four in the league and getting them in each cup as well and going to a replay.
“I’ve had that a few times in my time although it’s never been four on the trot never mind four in the space of two weeks.
“I don’t think there’s bad blood. It’s just competitiveness.
“We’ll go there and focus on just trying to win the game.
“That’s all we can do and hopefully put to bed the last couple of results against Celtic, obviously the two defeats in two cup games.
“So we’ll be looking to go there and try to get the three points in the league.”