Aaron Donnelly: Dundee looking to put things right after heavy defeats

Aaron Donnelly expects a strong reaction from Dundee as they return to Premiership action against Aberdeen on Saturday for the first time since their back-to-back 6-0 defeats at the hands of Hearts and Celtic.

The Dee went some way to getting back on track by defeating Championship side Airdrie 4-0 in the Scottish Cup fifth round last weekend, but they are a lowly 10th in the table on the back of their drubbings earlier this month.

Donnelly, who rejoined Dundee from Colchester in January, is confident his side can prove that those two results were freakish and revive their hopes of making the top six for a second season running.

“It was obviously a very tough week, no-one saw it coming, but these things happen in football and it’s all about the reaction,” said the defender, who spent last season on loan at Dens Park.

“I think since I came in (in January), we had been really consistent. We had the two Old Firm draws and a win in the derby (against Dundee United) in the Scottish Cup.

“I think those two games were an anomaly. It never happened last season but it’s happened this season and we’re looking to put it right on Saturday.

“The league’s very tight. If you go on a run of consistent form, you win two or three on the bounce, you can start looking up. Last season we had a very good run before the split and we finished in the top six, and that’ll be our aim for this season as well.”

This weekend’s Dens Park clash is deemed crucial for both sides, with Aberdeen also aiming to get back on track after failing to win any of their last 14 league games.

“There’s pressure with every game you go into,” said Donnelly. “You’re expected to come out with three points and this one’s no different. The boys are really looking forward to it. There’s been a real intensity this week in training and we’re looking to bring it into Saturday.

“We know Aberdeen are a top side. At the start of the season they were competing against the big teams in the league so we know what quality they have.

“Obviously something’s not right, something’s not clicking with them, but we know that they’ll be coming down to Dens to get three points off us.”