{"id":628103,"date":"2026-04-24T15:26:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T15:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/628103\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T15:26:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T15:26:16","slug":"johnny-russell-weve-got-a-point-to-prove","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/628103\/","title":{"rendered":"JOHNNY RUSSELL | WE’VE GOT A POINT TO PROVE"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dundee United star Johnny Russell spoke to the broadcast media to preview our William Hill Premiership clash with Dundee on Matchday 34.<\/p>\n

The Terrors\u2019 homegrown hero expressed his excitement ahead of featuring in one of the most unique rivalries in world football, before reflecting on his favourite memories from a derby like no other.<\/p>\n

ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE OCCASION<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

I\u2019m really excited. When the split came, this is the game everyone looks forward to and we haven\u2019t had to wait long. I\u2019ve been involved in a few now and they\u2019re always exciting, whether home or away.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t matter that both teams are in the bottom half – it doesn\u2019t change what the game means to us or the fans.\u00a0There are so many things that make it special – the proximity of the grounds, the history, and having been involved in a few already. Derbies are always special, but this one feels a bit different.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s about showing up and giving bragging rights to our fans. We\u2019ll be looking to set a few wrongs right. I feel we\u2019ve got a point to prove after the way the last one finished.\u00a0We controlled the game for so long away from home and let it slip. We owe it to ourselves and our fans to show up and get a result.<\/p>\n

ON WHAT IT MEANS TO THE SUPPORTERS AND THE PLAYERS<\/p>\n

It\u2019s massive for the fans and the city. You\u2019ve got households split between Dundee and United supporters. Even when I was away, I\u2019d go out of my way to watch this game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

As players, you have to represent that meaning – play with the edge a derby brings but keep control at the same time.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m just looking forward to soaking it all in – the build-up, training, and the atmosphere. Driving into Tannadice on matchday with the fans already there is special. You try to enjoy it, but you\u2019ve still got a job to do – it\u2019s about finding the right balance.<\/p>\n

ON HIS FAVOURITE MEMORY OF THE DUNDEE DERBY<\/p>\n

The derby where I scored two and got a red card, which was later rescinded by the way, stands out. That was probably the best one for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That was the game with the somersault celebration. Gary Harkins started that – it became a running joke where everyone added to it. I think that celebration has been retired for about eight years now. I could probably still do it, but I\u2019m not sure I should!<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

We were flying at the time, it was a great team, and everything just clicked. One of the goals is one of my favourites in my career. Hopefully on Sunday I can add another special memory.<\/p>\n

ON FINISHING THE CAMPAIGN STRONGLY<\/p>\n

We have to finish as the best of the rest. There\u2019s no point dwelling on what\u2019s come before – we are where we are. Dundee will be fighting for their lives and we have to match that intensity.<\/p>\n

If we don\u2019t, it\u2019ll be a very tricky day. Once we match that, it\u2019s about taking control of the game and doing what we want to do. We\u2019re not in a position to give anyone points, especially not in a game like this.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

ON HIS EMOTIONAL RETURN TO TANNADICE<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been brilliant being back. I never really intended to return, but there\u2019s something about this club – it just felt right. It\u2019s been nostalgic, with some familiar faces still here. This club gave me my platform and I\u2019ve always had a huge amount of love for it.<\/p>\n

I felt I could still contribute, and that\u2019s why it made sense for both sides. It\u2019s been frustrating missing a few games with injury, but I\u2019m back, feeling good and ready to push on for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

My relationship with the fans is also a big reason I came back. They\u2019ve always supported me throughout my career. The reception since returning has been incredible. Now it\u2019s up to me to give something back and create more moments and memories for them.<\/p>\n

ON ELONGATING HIS STAY<\/p>\n

Nothing has been decided about next season. It was always a short-term agreement and we said we\u2019d speak in the summer. For now, I\u2019m just enjoying being back, being around the boys, and making the most of every day.<\/p>\n

I know I\u2019ve still got something to give, but I\u2019m also aware I don\u2019t have as much time as I once did, so I\u2019m trying to enjoy it as much as possible. It\u2019s definitely something I\u2019d be open to.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

My kids have grown up in America, so that\u2019s been a factor, but they\u2019re settled here now. Because it\u2019s this club, it makes it different – I don\u2019t think I\u2019d feel the same elsewhere. We\u2019ll see what happens when those conversations come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dundee United star Johnny Russell spoke to the broadcast media to preview our William Hill Premiership clash with…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":628104,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[563],"tags":[64,63,596,85],"class_list":["post-628103","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-football","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=628103"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628103\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/628104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=628103"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=628103"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=628103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}