The fact that Dundee will be kicking off the New Year with a game of football at Dens Park is cause for celebration in itself, Dark Blues defender Craig McKeown believes.
In the bleak days of October when the club embarked on an administration process that saw management duo Gordon Chisholm and Billy Dodds and a number of McKeown’s team-mates being sacked, there was no guarantee the First Division club would see 2011.
Since then, fans and the business community have rallied round and as much as £250,000 could soon be made available to help the cause.
On the pitch the players have certainly done their bit to foster a mood of optimism by going nine games unbeateneight of them under the stewardship of new boss Barry Smith.
McKeown admitted that in the autumn no one was taking it for granted that there would be a match for them to play against Ross County on Sunday.
He said, “We’re just delighted that there’s a game to look forward to after all that we’ve been through in the last couple of months.
“It was a worry back in October, when all the financial troubles started, that we might not even get to this stage.
“Let’s not forget that this is a job for us as well. It’s not just a case of us playing football, which is obviously something we love doing.
“There were a lot of concerns back then but the way everyone involved with the club has pulled together just goes to show what a fantastic club this is.
“It’s incredible how much money has been raised in such a short period of time. So it will be a relief in one way to be starting the New Year with a league match and hopefully there will be more good news on the way as far as coming out of administration is concerned.
“It’s been great to hear talk of that possibly happening.
“The supporters have been fantastic by raising money and supporting us during matches. We’ll need their backing again on Sunday.”
The players are determined to do their bit to extend the feel-good factor at Dens into January by taking care of Willie McStay’s Staggies.
“It’s another massive game for us,” McKeown said. “We want to keep this unbeaten run going.
“Everyone has mucked in together. There’s a real togetherness in the squad, which isn’t the biggest now, and in the club as a whole.
“That’s been reflected on the pitch because the lads are fighting tooth and nail for each other out there. The gaffer has taken his opportunity with both hands and his emphasis to us has been the need for hard work, which has really paid off.
“As far as games getting called off is concerned, we’ve been more fortunate than a lot of clubs in this league. We’ve only had two games off due to the weather and that’s a credit to our groundstaff.”
Boss Smith expects Nicky Riley and Leigh Griffiths to both be fit.
He said, “This is another big game and hopefully we’ll get another good turnout from the fans.
“We’re playing with confidence at the moment but are in no doubt about how tough the match will be.”