United midfielder Craig Easton insists the traumatic start to the season has not dented the optimism around Tannadice. The Tayside club are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League after losing a manager and a chairman in dramatic fashion already this season. Club captain Jason de Vos has also been the target of former striker Alex Mathie recently complaining that the Canadian was the cause of dressing room unrest. But Easton, who returned to the starting line-up in the 2-1 defeat at Celtic last weekend, maintains spirits remain high at the club ahead of the visit of SPL high-fliers Hibs. "We have never been down in the dumps or going about the place any differently to the way we always have.

"Everybody has got their heads up and we are working very hard in training and that is all you can do. "It is a very bright place to be, although a lot of people might think it is not. "Obviously we are not happy with our position at the moment but, other than that, it is a really good club. "It is a happy place to be and I am still enjoying my football and I know a lot of the other lads are. "We would enjoy it a bit more if we were a bit higher in the League but we are working hard to get things right starting - hopefully - against Hibs on Saturday." But the 21-year-old believes that, despite the defeat at Celtic last week, United can turn negatives into positives for the rest of the season - starting against high-flying Hibs on Saturday.

"You have got to take positives from games and I thought there were a lot of good things about the game at Celtic," said Easton. "Our attitude was very good and we were happier with the way we played. "Obviously the result was not what we would have liked but there were some good things which we can put into practice in our next game. "It doesn't matter situation you are in, I'm looking forward to the next game to try and remedy it. "We are confident that we can take something from Hibs although it is good to see somebody else, other than Rangers and Celtic, doing well in the League." ©Sporting Life