Dundee United defender Neil Farrugia spoke to the broadcast media to preview our William Hill Premiership clash with Celtic on Matchday 31.

The Irishman discussed taking the positives from a frustrating afternoon at Dens, the squad’s desire to finish the season strongly and his own experience settling into life north of the border.

ON BOUNCING BACK FROM DERBY DISAPPOINTMENT

It was a tough couple of days after. Mentally, it was hard as a team to even understand what had happened. But look, football is a mad game and the next game is just around the corner

It's mainly about trying to forget what happened and take all the positives that there were from that game - we were comfortable for 90 minutes but lost our concentration at the end. 

I think the frustrating part from the manager's perspective is that it has happened too often this season. As a team, we have realised that and it's one thing to just say, ‘we'll learn from this’, but at a certain moment we've got to reflect on the mistakes.

All we can do now is focus on the next game. It's a collective effort - we have to learn and get better at it. That's what we've been doing in training.

ON HOSTING CELTIC 

In Celtic’s team, there's lots of experience and they've been in this position before, but every game towards the end of the season is important for every team. We've got something to play for, they've got something to play for - it's about who can play the game and not the occasion.

In the past few seasons, they've probably been a better team or they've achieved more, let's say. But they're still top players and they can turn it on at any stage. From our perspective, it's just about being ready and having confidence in ourselves, knowing that we are a good team and that we can hurt them.

It's going to go down to the wire up there at the top of the league, but as a team, we've got our own goals and ambitions. We're just focusing on getting the win and what happens after it happens.

ON KEEPING OURSELVES MOTIVATED

The teams beneath us have done well recently and it's not going to be an easy cruise in the last part of the season. We have to be top of our game to keep the pressure off.

Top six is probably just out of reach at this stage, but I think as players, it's our job to keep going every week and to find that little bit of motivation. Celtic at the weekend is a great example - it's a big game against a great team and these are the sort of games that you want to play in.

ON ADJUSTING TO SCOTLAND ON AND OFF THE PARK

It’s very and competitive. The derby on the weekend was a great game to be involved in and the fans were great. There are also some really good footballing teams in the league, for example, Motherwell are a top team and they play the ball on the floor. 

One of the big things I've realised is that the ball's played a bit more on the ground here in the Scottish Premiership - that's what I enjoy and also what the manager wants.

I've settled in well now. Coming into January is always tough and coming in January into Scottish weather is even tougher! But to be fair, the lads have been great it's a lovely part of the world when the sun's out. I enjoy being near the sea, it reminds me of home.

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