St Johnstone striker Steven MacLean expects Dundee to exhibit all of the fighting qualities of his former travelling companion, Neil McCann.
The Dundee manager was a mentor of the young MacLean when the pair played together for Rangers and the Saints striker admits his advice has stuck with him throughout his career.
Dundee sit bottom of the Premiership after taking one point from five matches and MacLean knows McCann will have his team fired up when they host Saints on Saturday.
The 35-year-old said: “I actually used to travel with him at Rangers for a while, me and Allan McGregor and Neily, so it will be good to see him again. Hopefully he will be a top manager after we take three points off him this weekend.
“When I was a young boy trying to make my way at Rangers, he was excellent. There were a few players who were excellent with me and gave me a bit of advice.
“I remember Neily gave me some really good advice and told me to train the way I play and always give my best in training. That’s where you earn your corn to try and get in the first-team squad.
“I always remembered that and that’s something I always say to our young boys as well, when they are trying to get in the team they have got to show it on the training pitch first and foremost. You have got to train as you play and catch the manager’s eye. It was a great bit of advice he gave me.”
Dundee skipper Darren O’Dea recently described his manager as the most competitive person he had met and the words rang true with MacLean.
“I heard someone else say he was an angry wee man as well, but I’ll let them say that,” MacLean joked. “But, no, he is very competitive. He’s a winner. All the way through his career he was a winner.
“Even in training, when his team wasn’t winning he was running about kicking everybody.
“He was a top player, really competitive, and I’m sure he will take it into his management career.”
MacLean, whose team have lost on their last three trips to Dens Park, added:
“The start they have had, they are fighting for their lives already and a lot of boys will be fighting for the place in the team.
“With it being a derby, it will be really competitive anyway but I’m sure Neily’s team will be bang up for it and they will be desperate for the points as well.
“We have not had a great record there in the last couple of games so it’s about time we went there and put on a good show.”
