Dundee have the mental strength to cope with anything Rangers throw at them in their William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
That is the confident prediction of Dark Blues boss Paul Hartley, who has just seen his side match the other Glasgow giant at Celtic Park in the Premiership.
Hartley has every reason be optimistic about going to Govan for tomorrow’s cup clash after his players took the game to the Hoops and secured a deserved goalless draw in the league.
So it’s one down, one to go for the Dens men.
The bookies may have little faith in them, with Rangers installed as strong favourites to reach the semis despite being from a division below.
However, belief is high that the Dundee players won’t be fazed.
That includes skipper Gary Harkins, who is almost certain to get pelters from the home fans for joking the other week that Rangers are a “new club.”
Hartley said: “We showed against Celtic that we’ve got the personalities, the personnel and the mental strength that’s required.
“We were playing against the champions, let’s not forget about that.
“The players who went there carried out their jobs in a certain manner so they have to go and do the same again.
“Once they get over the line, we as coaches have no control of it.
“It’s about the players.
“We can only help them so much but when you get out on that park it’s totally different.
“We can set them up all week, we can work on the system but it totally changes when you get out there – trust me.
“It’s about how we handle the occasion. That’s the big thing for me.
“The key thing on Saturday is handling the atmosphere, handling whatever comes their way.
“The players have got to be strong on Saturday and not have any nerves.
“That’s the key thing we will be sending out to them: ‘Play your normal game if you can.’
“You have to go and thrive on it.
“It’s important that you don’t freeze on the occasion.
“The game plan is to go there and put in a good performance.
“I have total belief in my group that they can perform.
“On our day, we know we are a good team and hopefully we can bring everything to the game on Saturday.”
Hartley had advice for Harkins in particular, given that he is likely to get more stick than his teammates.
Asked how he himself dealt with that as a player, the former Scotland international said: “You should just thrive on it, thrive on any abuse you get.
“It happens week in, week out at grounds.
“Gary is our captain so he has to go there and help the team and play the way he has been playing.
“He has played there before and he has played at other venues.
“He has to go there and put on a real captain’s performance and I’m sure he will.
“He is experienced enough.
“I’m not sure it’s fun to get stick but you have to enjoy it also.
“Enjoy playing on the occasion, enjoy playing in front of a packed house and go and show your true qualities.”
Dundee have some injury concerns ahead of the big match.
Darren O’Dea and Thomas Konrad both have knocks, while Julen Etxabeguren hurt his shoulder against the Hoops.
Greg Stewart also picked up a knock at Celtic Park but Hartley is hopeful all will be available for training today.