PAUL PATON will never forget his last visit to Dens Park. No matter how hard he tries.

The former Dundee United captain cannot erase memories of that night in May when the Tannadice club lost their Premiership status for the first time in 20 years.

The agony of relegation was bad enough but even harder to bear because it was city rivals Dundee who consigned Mixu Paatelainen’s side to the Championship with a 2-1 win sealed by striker Craig Wighton’s late winner.

While the Dundee fans gloated, devastated United supporters were reduced to tears.

Paton, 29, returns to the scene for the first time with a high-flying St Johnstone side looking to round-off December unbeaten. However, the Northern Ireland midfielder says revenge is not on his mind.

Paton shared supporters' pain when their fate was sealed but headed out the door when chairman Stephen Thompson was forced to slash the budget.

He recalled: “I don’t think anybody went over the top that night. You know what to expect from your local rivals if you get relegated by them. We were always going to be relegated. It was just disappointing that it was in that game. But you take it on the chin and move on.

“If I was a Dundee fan I’d have celebrated in the same manner and if I was a Dundee player I would have done the same. It wasn’t easy to take. It is a career low, along with losing a cup final.

“But you bounce back. I’ve moved clubs now and United have bounced back as well.”

Paton reclaimed his place in Tommy Wright’s line-up for the 1-1 midweek draw with Rangers, as Saints stretched their December run to five games without loss.

He stressed: “We’re looking to keep this unbeaten run going. Dundee are a good side and we’re expecting another tough game but we’re going there with our confidence up and under no pressure.

“We can be relaxed. The pressure’s on Dundee. They need to take the game to us. It was a good result against Rangers and it keeps our momentum going. It’s a really positive camp at the minute. To draw with Rangers twice shows what a good side we are and it was good to halt their winning run.”

Murray Davidson is available after suspension but Paton is hoping to retain his central midfield berth after impressing against Rangers.

He said: “I was in the team and doing well enough but I picked up an injury in training on the Friday before a game. That meant I had to miss a couple of matches. The only reason I got injured was because I was making tackles that maybe some other boys wouldn’t be making.

“That’s just the way I train. I probably shouldn’t have made the tackle because it hurt my ankle. I dropped out and the boys did well. You have to expect that you’ll be on the bench when you come back in those circumstances. I had no problem with that.

“I know where I stand with the manager. If I’m playing well I’ll be in the team – the same as it is for everyone. I was happy with my performance against Rangers having not played 90 minutes for about a month. Adrenaline saw me through and we had the bit between our teeth to get the point.”

Meanwhile, the Dundee youngster Cammy Kerr says his team-mates must rediscover the powers of resilience they displayed when coming from behind to beat Hearts in today's Tayside derby.

The delirious Dark Blues were brought crashing back down to earth as a result of their 2-0 midweek defeat by Partick Thistle following the high of their 3-2 win Ian Cathro's side last Friday night.

Kerr said: “It was a great feeling after last Friday's win against Hearts. We got the taste for that and want more. Being 2-0 down and coming back was some way to win the game. The boys showed spirit and we got the result. I think we've picked up at home and shown we can win there. So this game can't come quickly enough."