Dundee’s long unbeaten league run will get its acid test when first division leaders Raith Rovers visit Dens Park this weekend, Dark Blues boss Barry Smith admitted yesterday.
Their run of 13 games without defeat takes in matches against all the teams in the division, apart from John McGlynn’s men.
If their record is still intact on Saturday evening, they’ll have completed the full set.
Smith said, “Raith are a well organised and disciplined team. They look to play attacking football and get the ball forward to Gregory Tade.
“He’s a real handful and you can see why other clubs are reported to be interested in him. This game is as difficult a game as you can get.”
Had it not been for their 25-point deduction, this fixture would be a top of the table clash between two teams on the same points total.
The SFL punishment means Dundee’s priorities have changed, however.
Smith pointed out, “The facts are that this isn’t a match between first and second. We’re fighting to stave off relegation and the two teams now need the three points for totally different reasons.”Momentous weekThis week has been a momentous one off the pitch, with a creditors’ agreement secured to allow the process of emerging from administration to be progressed.
Smith has insisted the issue will neither dilute nor intensify his players’ matchday focus.
He explained, “To be honest, I think the lads have been concentrating on what’s happening on the pitch throughout all this. I can’t ask them to do any more. All I want is for them to continue doing what they’re doing.
“From a football point of view, coming out of administration doesn’t change anything for us. We want to stay in this league so we still have to keep picking up points.
“Obviously there was a sigh of relief from the lads because they now know that they’ve got a job until the end of the season. That takes a weight off their minds.”
Meanwhile, trialist Stewart Greacen has left the club after securing a permanent contract elsewhere. Smith reported, “He’s gone to Ireland. He was a free agent and Derry City have given him some security.
“Having been a player I know how important that is, especially nowadays.”
Tom Brighton can’t play any more games as a trialist, but he won’t be committing to another club while there’s a possibility of Dundee’s transfer embargo being lifted.
Smith said, “We’re hoping we’ll maybe be able to sign somebody soon and he’s willing to take that chance just now, but I don’t know how long he’ll wait.
“The SFL want to speak to Bryan Jackson (about the embargo), but it won’t happen until next week because he’s off for a couple of days.”