Dundee midfielder Maros Klimpl tells The Courier he believes mental strength will be as important as physical ability in the last dramatic weeks of the First Division championship race.
The Dens men face a tough test up north tomorrow against a Ross County team still basking in the afterglow of their Active Nation Scottish Cup quarter-final win over SPL side Hibs.
For their part, the Dark Blues could only manage a home draw against Queen of the South in their midweek fixture, which saw their lead at the top of the table cut to just a single point over Inverness Caley Thistle.
Dundee will face County knowing that defeat would hand both Highland clubs an advantage in the title race.
Klimpl has experienced title heartache before, the Slovak once losing on the final day while playing for Czech club Viktoria Zizkov.
He is desperate to avoid a similar fate this time round and knows a strong mentality will be required for the run-in.
“I think now we are getting to the end of the season it is all about mental strength now,” said Klimpl.
“We have a lot of quality in the team but just as important is having the mentality to go out and win.
“There are eight games left to play, it is going to be intense and we need to be strong.
“I was in this position before, with Viktoria Zizkov in the Czech Republic. We lost the title on the final day.
“I was only 21 then and I am 29 now so I have much more experience and that is important.
“This time round it is very different. I am older and more confident.”CapableWith new manager Gordon Chisholm having had a few days to work with the players, Klimpl feels the Dens men are well capable of the getting a vital victory.
“Everyone is focused on the Ross County match because we need to win to keep the gap at the top of the table,” added Klimpl.
“It is a massive game for both teams. It will be difficult but we still believe in ourselves.”
Chisholm will be boosted by the return of Gary MacKenzie following a head injury but goalkeeper Rab Douglas is doubtful with a knee problem.
MacKenzie was taken off with concussion last weekend but has been passed fit to play and resumed full training yesterday.
“Gary had a head knock last week but he has trained away OK,” said boss Chisholm.
“The doctors have been doing some tests on him this week so they have said he is fine.
“So he will come back into contention for the Ross County game.
“Big Rab has been playing through an injury for months and, credit to him, he has been turning out for the games.
“So we are just going to monitor him now and he might be available for some games and not others.
“We will just take it as it comes.
“County will be flying after their great result against Hibs but the challenge for us is to go up there, get three points and open that gap up again.”