Dundee have a point to prove in Monday’s derby against rivals Dundee United.
The Dark Blues are out to right the wrongs of their derby defeat on January 2 when the sides cross swords once more at Dens Park in the Scottish Cup.
That’s the challenge Tony Docherty has set his players.
The Dee boss has ensured no stone has been left unturned in their analysis of that 2-1 loss to their nearest foes.
However, the manager says that since then Dundee have developed.
In just a couple of weeks they have added three new signings and impressed in draws against Rangers and Celtic.
Getting better
And Docherty has set his players the challenge of continuing that positive run by getting a bit of revenge on Dundee United in this cup derby.
“I’m seeing a real consistent level of performance now,” he said.
“In our last five games, we’ve won two really tough away games at St Johnstone and St Mirren, we’ve put in two home performances against Celtic and Rangers, arguably we could have won both won both, but they real strong performances.
“The one in that run has been the Dundee United loss.
“The game coming up now gives us an opportunity to really put everything right after the last derby.
“There’s a feeling that we are developing. I think we’re getting better.
“I think you need to remember we had a starting team there with two 19-year-olds and seven under the age of 23.
“With that brings an energy, a bravery, a real quality, and a confidence and belief in themselves. When you’re young you embrace that and I think you’re seeing that.
“It’s a squad that is fearless, that is so together. As a manager it’s a brilliant group to work with, and it’s just making sure you channel them,
“It’s important we recognise there’s development, there’s growth all the time, but our firm focus is on this game.
“In the recent run of games the derby is the one that we’re disappointed with and we’ve got an opportunity to atone for that and put it right.”
Late goals
One thing he realises Dundee will have to do is keep things tight in the closing stages of the cup derby.
Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United side have been impressive this season, flying high in the Premiership in third place.
A real trait of the Tangerines has been scoring late goals – something the Dark Blues fell foul of in the derby at the start of the month.
Sam Dalby’s winner came in the final minutes and that’s something Docherty has warned his players of.
“They keep going to death, it’s a trait that you’ve seen in Jim Goodwin’s team this year,” Docherty said.
“They’ve got good experience, really good experience, and we had a lot of that last year coming up as the newly-promoted team and we won a lot of last-minute games.
“It’s something that we’re very aware of and they scored a late goal against us so there’s a lot of things we need to do right in that game.”
Cup hurt
Dundee’s task to get through to the next round is a big one.
Success in the cups is, though, something he’s desperate to bring to Dens Park.
This year saw a run to the League Cup quarter final after two poor attempts in the knockout competitions last year.
Dundee’s 2024 Scottish Cup run ended before it had begun with two goals conceded in the first three minutes at Kilmarnock that brought a 2-0 loss and a swift exit.
Asked if that game still hurts, Docherty replied: “It does, absolutely.
“You start every season with objectives. We’re not going to win the league, with the greatest respect, but we have an opportunity in both cup competitions if things go favourably.
“When you see the draw coming out of the hat for this one, it’s tough, but you’ve got to win these games if you’ve got any aspirations.
“I was disappointed in the cup competitions last year and this year I’m hoping that we can go as far as we can go.
“To do that you need to win these games.”
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