Top flight is in our sights says skipper

DUNDEE United captain Willo Flood admits the priority for the Tannadice club this season is to achieve promotion, and to do it automatically.

The Tangerines missed out on a return to the Premiership last season, losing out in the play-off final to Hamilton Accies.

And new club captain Flood says the aim is to win the Championship outright and avoid the rigours of knockout football.

“The plan for this club is to get back to where it belongs and you want to miss out the play-offs if you can,” the Irishman said.

“The play-offs is a long, hard struggle as we know from last season, so you want to go and win the division.

“There’s a long way to go and we just take this game tonight and look forward to the next league game on Saturday against Brechin.”

United kick-off their defence of the Irn-Bru Cup tonight against Cowdenbeath, a team they beat 4-1 in the Betfred Cup group stages, and the 32-year-old insists they will not be in for an easy ride against the Blue Brazil.

“They gave us a tough game here until we scored,” Flood said.

“They were quite solid and had a decent shape about them, so we expect them to get plenty of men behind the ball.

“We need to make sure we’re patient and make sure we take our chances when they come.”

Flood is in line to start at Tannadice this evening as he makes his return from injury, others including new signing Paul Quinn and Dutch striker Patrick N’Koyi will line-up amongst a youthful United side.

“There’s a chance for a few people to get games,” Flood said.

“I’ve been carrying a knock all pre-season with my knee, so I’ll hopefully get a game.

“There’s a few of the other lads who haven’t really had minutes and they could get a game under their belts as well.

“Hopefully, the fans will see a few young lads as well.

“I don’t think it’ll be as frantic as