Dundee midfielder Andrew Shinnie has declared that the Dark Blues are ready to fight to be first division champions.
Shinnie, who suffered a gaping wound on his lip during Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Ayr United thanks to a stray opposition elbow, is convinced the Dens men will scrap for everything when the going gets tough in the closing weeks of the season.
They may not have got the victory they wanted at Somerset Park but they were willing to battle for every ball.
That is something the on-loan Rangers player feels will help them stay out in front in the race for the promotion place.
Shinnie said, “It is hard to assess that Ayr match because I think we should have won the game when you consider the chances we created.
“So you can say it’s two points lost or, on the other hand, we were down to 10 men away from home at a tough place and it might be a decent point come the end of the season.
“The boys realised we had to pick ourselves up and get back going in the league after what happened against Raith on Saturday and I think it was significant how hard we worked at Ayr.”
He added, “We know we can play at a high standard but now, as it comes towards the end of the season, maybe it is not all about showing you are a good team.
“We need to battle, too, and I am sure if we play that way until the end of the season we should do all right.
“It is going to be like that because we have a lot of away games coming up at places just like Ayr.
“So that game maybe gave us an insight into what the rest will be like and I feel we stood up to them pretty well.
“Hopefully we will do so again at Airdrie on Saturday.”
Shinnie conceded that, to some, Dundee’s table-topping position looks vulnerable to attack.
Inverness Caley Thistle, whom they travel to on the final day, look particularly dangerous.
However, he said, “We are at the top and have been for quite a while now.”
Shinnie added, “When you lose points they say you are wobbling.
“But it’s not just us who have been dropping points because, for example, Ross County went away to Raith and did the same.
“So points will be dropped between now and the end of the season.
“You never know, it might go to the wire. Other teams are chasing us but we need to look after our own results before thinking about them.”
Dundee may not have secured all three points at Ayr but boss Jocky Scott was still pleased by his side’s effort after the setback against Raith in the Scottish Cup quarter-final last weekend.
He was also delighted with centre-half Craig McKeown’s performance after injury.
Scott said, “McKeown did very well considering the game was his first outing this season.
“He played his part and in some ways he is like a new signing.
“Overall, we passed well at times but the biggest plus was the way we challenged and chased for every ball-we need to do that in all the games we have left.
“A few players picked up knocks and bruises at Ayr and we will have to wait before we can assess how many of them will be fit before I pick my team to face Airdrie on Saturday.
“I already have one decision to make as Eric Paton is suspended, although I would envisage another couple of changes as well simply because of the injuries and tired legs,” he added.