Dundee’s Rab Douglas admits a victory against Ross County in Dingwall this afternoon would be the perfect early birthday gift.
“And I have maintained that there is not going to be another multi-millionaire waiting in the wings to bail Dundee out now.
“It is all about hard-working fans and players. That combination will give us a right good chance.”
Douglas is taking nothing for granted but if Dundee can secure their first division safety today, with the club set to come out of administration next Friday, it may perhaps be time to start dreaming again.
“Dundee have been in the first division for too long,” he added. “We are a big club but we are basically starting from scratch again.
“Don’t get me wrong, we are not safe yet and we are not big enough not to go down but you miss things like the local derbies.
“Fair credit, I even have Dundee United fans coming up to me and saying I hope you win promotion so we can get the derby games again.
“But we just have to secure our safety first, then start rebuilding again and look to the future.”
Dundee boss Barry Smith has a full squad to choose from.
County have received a further blow to go with the abandonment of Tuesday’s match at Palmerston against Queen of the South, which was called to a halt when the Staggies were leading 2-0.
Their dismay at a lights failure forcing them to miss out on a probable three-point haul has been compounded by the news that Richard Brittain-who sat out the game because of suspension-will not have the serving of that ban count and will sit out today’s game instead.
Dingwall manager Jimmy Calderwood said, “We were two goals up and of course the floodlight failure has cost us Richard Brittain for this game.”
The veteran goalie turns 39 tomorrow and he would like nothing better than to wake up secure in the knowledge that the Dark Blues’ first division survival had been assured.
Dundee sit seven points above Cowdenbeath who occupy the relegation play-off spot and the Dens Park outfit know that, with just three games remaining, one more victory would mean they were safe.
There is sure to be a big travelling support heading to the Highlands today, with some fans already making plans to serenade Douglas with a chorus of “Happy Birthday To You.”
However, the big stopper was keen to stress nothing should be allowed to distract from the job in hand.
“It is not about me and my birthday is not until Sunday, so I hope they do not sing or anything,” he said modestly. “It is about us getting another result and if we do, that would be us.
“It would be a great birthday present to wake up on Sunday morning and know that we were safe.
“Obviously, if we win or Cowdenbeath lose or draw, then that is it. It would really top the season off, to be honest.
“Everybody went through the pain of administration so it was incredible to then go on a run of unbeaten games to surpass the club record held by the championship-winning team that contained the likes of Pat Linney and Bobby Cox, who are real Dundee legends.
“Pat was one of the first to come into the dressing room to congratulate us after we did it and these have been special moments.
“I think the way the team have bonded with the fans and vice versa has been great as well.
“We have needed the supporters to kick us on at times, and they have done it, but we have also roused the fans when needed. I have a lot of affection for the Dundee fans. For some reason, there is a great connection.
“Living up here, it probably means a wee bit more to me and I am still really enjoying playing.
“There has just been an incredible spirit and long may it continue.
“Normally when things do not go well, people are quite happy to turn their backs on a club.