Matt Lockwood has warned that Dundee will face a Raith Rovers team with more than a point or two to prove in Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup tie at Dens.
The last time the two teams met in the league earlier this month, the Dark Blues ran out 2-0 winners.
However, Grant Murray’s side were left with a deep sense of injustice as they had to play for an hour with only 10 men after Callum Booth’s dismissal for two yellow card offences.
Dundee are now determined to go on a cup run but Lockwood is more than aware that Rovers will be determined to thwart that ambition.
He said: “Raith will come to our place looking for revenge. They had a man sent off at Dens the last time which changed the game. That will serve as motivation for them and quite rightly so.
“If it happened in reverse we would be thinking along the same lines. We have to be ready for their reaction and I’m sure we will be on the day.
“The games are coming thick and fast which we would rather was the case anyway. We want a decent cup run like any club. We won’t take them lightly as we know it will be another hard-fought affair but it’s one we want to come out on top in.”
Dundee will approach the game on Saturday buoyed by their morale-boosting 3-0 win at the home of league leaders Hamilton last weekend.
Lockwood admitted that the Dark Blues players knew exactly what was at stake when they travelled to New Douglas Park with the prospect of an Accies win meaning they would have extended their lead over Dundee to nine points at the top of the table.
He added: “We went to Hamilton under no illusions.
“They’ve been the best side in the division so far this season in terms of consistency. So for us to go there and win in the manner in which we did is all credit to the lads.
“We were favourites for the title before a ball was kicked. although that didn’t come from our camp.
“At the end of the day, we know we should be up there challenging. But the value of that result down at Hamilton maybe proves that we are better than we thought we were, so it’s a real confidence booster.”