Paul McGinn says there will be little brotherly love on show when he lines up for Dundee against a Sheffield United side containing his older sibling Stephen tonight.
The Dark Blues’ summer signing from Dumbarton expects to play against his other brother John, who stars for St Mirren in the Premiership, this season.
However, the friendly at Bramhall Lane is an unexpected “bonus” for the full-back.
He said: “I spoke to Stephen on Wednesday night. I knew I would be playing against John this season but obviously didn’t know I’d be playing against Stephen as well. I’ve never played against him before.
“He’s only going to play half an hour, which he was raging about. He wanted to play 60 minutes against me so he can kick lumps out of me! Of course, I’d love to get the bragging rights.
“At least if John gets one over with me, I’ll have another three games to get my own back. But if Stephen beats me on Friday it’s a one-off and there will be no other games for a rematch.”
The 23-year-old added: “John was the youngest … He’s four years younger than me.
“But Stephen and I had a fair bit of rivalry. It would normally end up in a fight, to be honest. Even in wee daft games which meant nothing out in the garden it would end in the two of us getting split up and sent to our rooms.
“But it was all good fun. It means a wee bit more now so we won’t be wading into each other on Friday like we used to do when we were about 10 or 11.
“There’s a bit more at stake now and we won’t be wanting to get injured, so we need to stay fit, which means it will be relatively friendly.”
Dundee have had an impressive unbeaten pre-season so far, with the latest victory coming over Hearts on Tuesday night at Dens.
McGinn insists that while the Dundee players appreciate tonight’s test against English League One side Sheffield will be a tough one, they are determined to keep their fine run going.
“This will be another tough test. They’re gradually getting harder and harder, so that’s what we want going into the real stuff.
“It’s nice to keep the winning run and good form going. If you’re making mistakes you can feel a bit nervy, but if you’re winning you aim to keep in that mode.
“It’s better than trying to pick things up. We’ve been quite pleased with the way things are going.”
He added: “Everyone is competing hard. We’re driving each other on and the new signings are looking good.
“Luka Tankulic came off the bench the other night and scored two great goals against Hearts. We all can’t wait for the season to get started.”
It will be a depleted Dundee squad that will face the Blades, with boss Paul Hartley determined not to take any risks with the first competitive match, the League Cup tie against Peterhead, looming large next weekend.
The manager said: “We have a few boys who will not go to Sheffield as we don’t want to take any chances with them. Peter MacDonald, Iain Davidson, Gary Irvine, James McPake and Nicky Riley won’t travel.
“They are carrying wee niggles and should be OK for the start of next week, but we do not want to take them down with us.
“However, goalie Scott Bain has recovered well (from his appendix op) and will start back on Monday. He has had his stitches out so hopefully he will be back doing a bit of handling next week.”
Hartley said the fine performances so far had given him plenty food for thought on what is his best starting XI.
When asked if he had decided on who would be in that team, he replied: “No, not really. The players have been so good in pre-season. We have worked different situations and formations, with everybody getting plenty of game time.
“We will look at it against Sheffield and also assess the last four games then decide on what is the best squad and team to select for the first game of the season.”
Hartley accepts his side’s pre-season unbeaten record will be put under pressure tonight against Nigel Clough’s side.
“It is a different venue for us and Bramall Lane is a good place to play. I have played there before and they will be strong.
“However, our players are in good spirits just now. They have confidence and are playing with fluency. They are passing the ball well. It is key that they keep playing and enjoying it while working hard.
“We are still in pre-season as we keep saying to them, but they are looking fit and strong we are doing OK. We have played some good stuff all pre-season, but we have to continue that and keep working hard.”