The Challenge Cup may not be top priority for Dundee this season.
It probably wasn’t second on the list, or third.
But the Dark Blues have strolled through the lower-league cup competition, knocking in plenty of goals along the way.
Three at Welsh champions The New Saints, three at Falkirk and four at home to Dunfermline to set up Wednesday’s semi-final with Raith Rovers.
But, when it’s not a priority, why would Dundee take it seriously? And why might it be a distraction?
Taking it seriously
Dundee boss Gary Bowyer wants success.
That seems a pretty obvious statement – every manager wants success.
But a trophy in the cabinet in your first season in Scottish football is a big deal. At a club like Dundee where cup wins are few and far between adds even more – you have to go back to 2009 for the last one.
And that’s the single cup success this century.
It may not be the glory of a Scottish Cup or League Cup but it would put Bowyer in the list of only five Dens bosses to lift a cup.
For reference, that list is made up of Jocky Scott (Challenge Cup), Gordon Wallace (Challenge Cup), David White (League Cup), George Anderson (two League Cups) and Willie Wallace (Scottish Cup).
There are also new signings to bed into the team.
Zach Robinson is expected to make his return after a remarkable deadline day comeback from Wimbledon.
And it is a big squad now for Bowyer to juggle.
Winning also breeds winning and continuing their impressive form since November can only help their league campaign.
But why might it be a distraction?
Distraction
Dundee’s previous two successes in this competition were celebrated, rightly, at the time.
But neither was backed up by the real ambition: promotion.
The 1990/91 squad finished third in the First Division after lifting the trophy while those in 2009/10 finished second.
The Dark Blues have never won a double.
Winning is always a good thing but making it through would plonk a cup final into the end of March, a key time of the season.
It would come after two big, big matches against Ayr and Partick Thistle and before clashes against sides at the foot of the table in Hamilton and Arbroath.
The fixture against Raith Rovers on March 25 will be getting moved regardless and adds a potential midweek game to the run-in.
Victory in this competition could very well set up the final six matches of the campaign perfectly.
But previous failures to win both trophies suggest it is a difficult thing to do.
Since Dundee last lifted the Challenge Cup, only Ross County and Rangers have managed to win both the second tier and the lower-league trophy.
Opponents
Talk of a final appearance, of course, is premature.
Raith Rovers stand in the way and they have a remarkable record in this competition.
The Stark’s Park club have not lost a Challenge Cup match in FOUR years and remain the holders after seeing off Queen of the South last season in the final.
They’ve defeated Championship leaders Queen’s Park as well as Morton and Cove Rangers – three second-tier opponents.
Raith are also unbeaten in all competitions since December 3, including a 1-1 draw against the Dark Blues in January and have scored two goals in each of their last four games.
This will be a serious test.
But, whichever way it goes, will it benefit or hinder Dundee’s chances of lifting the prize they truly desire this season?
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