Dundee midfielder Stephen O’Donnell believes the club’s Premier-class fans can roar them to Scottish Cup success against Kilmarnock.
The Dark Blues are in the fortunate position of knowing their support will comfortably outnumber that of their SPL opposition when Killie visit for Saturday’s fourth-round tie.
O’Donnell has looked on in admiration recently at the 5,862 attendance for the last home game the Boxing Day defeat to Morton and the big travelling army that crossed the Tay on Monday to see the win at Raith Rovers.
Now he is expecting the terrific backing to continue when the Ayrshire side come calling to Dens Park.
”I have been here for 18 months now and the fans keep surprising me,” said O’Donnell. ”You really get to see how big a club Dundee are and how willing the supporters are to turn out in numbers.
”We are a proper club, as I say, in that there is real tradition here. We had a decent season last time when we battled against administration but the club is crying out to go to the next level and I think the fans deserve it as well for the way they turn out to support the team.
”I didn’t play on Monday but I was at the match and the crowd we took to Raith was unbelievable. There were almost 6,000 at Dens to see our last home game against Morton and that is a real Premier League level attendance. So it is good for the players to be supported like that and the players appreciate it.
”I am sure they can urge us on against Killie. It is a decent draw for us and a good break from the league. It is a home tie and we have a wee chance.
”They are a good Premier League team and we will respect them because of that but we won’t give them too much respect. And I think if we perform as we can do on the day then we will give it a real go.”
The Dark Blues may have slipped up against Morton but the result at Stark’s Park ensured they will go into the tie in confident mood.
”We got a good win at Raith to set us up for it so we are looking forward to the game,” added O’Donnell.