Dundee United will bounce back from a slow start to season, says midfielder John Rankin

John Rankin: Confident of a United revival

Dundee United are fired up to bounce back from a slow start to the season, insists midfielder John Rankin.

United remain in second-bottom place but Saturday's 1-1 draw with Aberdeen after four consecutive SPL games without scoring a goal has lifted spirits.

And, following a similarly sluggish opening to the last campaign, Rankin said: "It's strange. Everyone says they expect Dundee United to be in the top four or five, but we were in the same situation last season.

"We were in the bottom two at the end of October. We turned the corner after that because obviously there were a few home truths spoken.

"It has happened again this season. A few of the boys aired their feelings and the manager has said what he feels as well.

"We bounced back and went on a run. We have got that experience on our side. We know how to get out of this situation.

"We have got the confidence and players that feel as if we can do that. It's all right standing here talking about it - we need to put the performances together on the park.

"You saw on Saturday the improvement in attitude and application and desire we had. We were desperate to get the three points and were gutted not to get the three points. But the performance was definitely something to build on."

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