Dundee skipper Rhys Weston has revealed that training in the dark was an illuminating experience.
The big Welsh defender and the rest of his team-mates were put through their paces on the Dens Park pitch by boss Barry Smith on Tuesday night following the cancellation of their game against Ayr United because of floodlight failure.
The players weren’t left totally in the gloom as the lights inside the Bobby Cox Stand were still working and shone down with limited effect on to the grass.
But Weston admitted that his mind started playing tricks on him as he trained in the ”twilight zone”.
He said: ”We were desperately disappointed that the game didn’t go ahead. We prepared all day for the match and due to circumstances outwith our control it was called off.
”It’s the first time I’ve ever had a game cancelled like this. We were given the option to train or come in the next day and the boys took the option to train.
”As usual, we put in a good shift but it was a bit different. I’ve never trained in the dark before and it’s amazing how quick you feel with half a light shining on you your shadow seems to trick you into thinking you are half a yard faster.
”We could just about see each other and the darkness did a few guys a favour because we couldn’t see some of their faces!”
The call-off meant that Dundee were denied the chance to close the gap on runaway league leaders Ross County. The Staggies’ game against Morton on Tuesday night did go ahead and although they threw away a two-goal lead to only draw, the result means they are now 15 points ahead of the Dark Blues.
However, Weston insists no-one at Dens is ready to throw in the towel just yet.
”All we can do is take each game as it comes,” he said. ”Until it’s mathematically impossible for us to be in the hunt, we will keep going.
”A lot can happen in the next 10 games a lot of football is still to be played. Ross County are in a very strong position but football doesn’t work out that way.
”We don’t tend to play many midweek games. Ross County have a backlog of fixtures as well so there is no advantage to them that we haven’t played.”
Weston also took time to thank the fans despite the disappointment of Tuesday.
”The fans have been terrific all season. They have been put through the mill the last few years. A lot of them took time out of their work to come and support us and didn’t see a game so we hope we can give them something back in our next match.”
The club are asking fans who paid into the ground on Tuesday to retain their ticket stubs for the rescheduled date. It has been confirmed for Tuesday March 27, with a 7.45pm kick-off.