Dundee United’s players need to believe in themselves as much as the management team do, insists coach Darren Jackson.
The Tangerines host champions Celtic at Tannadice on Sunday, still smarting from their 2-0 home loss to Aberdeen last Saturday.
Belief is the watchword for Jackson going into the match against his former side, who thumped United 6-1 at Celtic Park back in August.
He said: “We have bounced back from disappointments in the past because we have good players at this club.
“They have to keep believing that’s the case because we, the coaching staff, believe in them.
“We have confidence in them.
“Maybe they need to believe in themselves a wee bit more.
“For example, even if you go a goal down you should still have that belief that you are good enough to get back into the game.
“Sometimes their heads will go down a wee bit, but you have to handle that if you go behind in a match.”
Meanwhile, the former Parkhead player believes thing are “working now” fot his old club, who moved six points clear of second-placed Inverness caley Thistle with their victory over St Mirren on Sunday.
Jackson said: “When a new manager comes in it does take a little bit of time for him to get his points and tactics over.
“People think it should happen right away just because you’re at Celtic.
“But it seems to be working now.
“They are a good side but we think we are a good side too.
“We are at home and we need to take the game to Celtic.
“We don’t want to wait on any mistakes.
“Instead, we want to show what we can do.
“We want to create chances and hopefully take them.”