| Wilkie is available again after being sin-binned for the clashes with St Mirren and Gretna and, although Saturday saw a surprise home defeat at the hands of the basement club, he knows Garry Kenneth, once again, proved an able deputy alongside Darren Dods in the heart of the rearguard.
That means he is not taking his starting place against the league leaders for granted.
“I want to get right back, especially for a game as big as this and, if I am not picked, I’ll be gutted,” said Wilkie.
“I have to be honest, though, and say I’d understand why. Every time Garry has come in this season, he has done a very good job and, from the manager’s point of view, it might be tempting to go with someone who has been doing well.”
Wilkie also accepts that the competition Kenneth’s provided has been a good thing for the defence, and he knows his best form is required to keep the U/21 cap on the bench.
“When you have boys you know can come in for you and do a good job, it keeps you on your toes. It means there is a bit of depth to the squad and that has to be a good thing for us.”
That said, it’s clear the former Dundee man expects to be lining up for the 4 pm start in front of the television cameras and he is determined to see United give a better account of themselves than when they went down 3-0 at Parkhead at the end of September.
“That was one of the biggest disappointments of the season for me, because we went there and did not perform at all.”
Putting that right this time would be the perfect kick-off to what promises to be a testing festive programme.
After the Hoops, United head for Motherwell this weekend then play host to Hearts on January 2, before travelling to Rangers on Saturday week.
“It’s a tough few games for us and coming so close together won’t make them any easier. I must admit, I don’t understand why they do that at a time when it’s usually cold and pitches are starting to cut up badly, but it’s just something you get on with.” |
