Alex seeks success over Arabs

While at Ross County Alex Keddie played Dundee United three times in cup ties but he warns that Saturday's opponents will be physical and strong.

Alex Keddie and his team mate Andy Barrowman both last came up against Dundee United in the 2009 Scottish Cup Final when they turned out in Ross County's biggest match in their history. He does not dwell on that Cup Final defeat, it is in the past now and they felt that they gave a good account of themselves at the time. Alex was acclaimed for his performance on that Hampden stage but he knows that it now important to turn it on in the 38 matches of that calibre in this SPL season. Based on his three cup ties for County against United, he described what his team mates have to look forward to when they meet the Tayside opposition.

"Dundee United at Tannadice will be a tough fixture; they are one of the top four sides in the league and if we can escape with some points it will be fantastic. They are very physical but can play as well."

David Goodwillie has left the Arabs to join Blackburn Rovers and while that might make Alex's job easier he is disappointed as well:-

"You might call me a sadist but you want to play against the best players - you don't improve playing against average players. It would be good to pit myself against Goodwillie but he has left. I played against Johnny Russell when he was on loan at Raith; he is a very good player and has filled Goodwillie's boots very well. He is a great prospect for United."

After seeing Kevin Rutkiewicz and John Potter signing for the 2011-12 season, Alex is pleased to have secured a place in the Pars starting eleven:-

"You start the season hoping that you are going to play; hopefully I have done well enough to stay in the team although I do not take that for granted. Kev has come back from injury, John has come in, Andy Dowie is playing centre midfield now but he is just as capable at centre half. You need to be on your toes and make sure that you are playing well."

The 30 year old central defender is very happy with the five points that his side has taken from the first three SPL matches.

"They turned out to be three very hard games. Fortunately we have not played the Old Firm or the likes of Hearts yet and we have played against three teams who'd we'd expect to be around about in the league so to pick up five points is fantastic.

"We didn't turn up in the first game against St Mirren. We did OK against Caley and maybe should have won the game but we picked up three points at Perth.

"A lot have tipped us to go down this year. After the St Mirren game there was a lot of press comments suggesting that we will not last the pace but we know in the dressing room and the Manager knows what we are capable of. To pick up five points is no fluke and we want to build on that."