Dundee defender Rhys Weston has warned both leaders Raith and second-placed Dunfermline that the Dark Blues will have a big say in the championship’s destination.
The first division title race has no runaway leader, with just two points separating the Fife duo. The Pars travel to Dens on Tuesday night then Smith’s men visit Rovers on April 2.
Dundee have already caused severe damage to third-placed Falkirk’s faltering challenge by coming back from two goals down to draw on Saturday.
Weston, who believes the eventual champions will come from Fife but finds it hard to choose between the two, now has his sights trained on the Pars as the Dark Blues try to extend their unbeaten league run.
“It looks like we are going to play a key role in deciding who finishes top of the table,” said Weston. “It is very tight up there in the promotion race.
“I think Falkirk probably missed their chance last weekend when they drew against us. For me it is between Raith and Dunfermline for the title. They both differ from each other in many ways.
“Raith are well organised, they don’t concede many and have Gregory Tade running about for them up top. Dunfermline are probably the more attractive team and play some great football. They both have their own strengths. I wouldn’t like to pick between them.
“Someone said to me that a season is won and lost in the first eight and last eight games of a season because that is when it comes down to who can hold their nerve. We will have a big say and one thing for sure is that we will be doing our best against everyone because we have still got a lot to play for ourselves.”
The East End Park outfit are the only one of the top three teams that Dundee have not beaten this season, with Rovers in particular struggling against the Dens men.
“Dunfermline have had a very good season and to beat them is an incentive for us,” said Weston “We rate ourselves as one of the best teams in the league and if it hadn’t been for the (25-point) deduction we would have been clear at the top.
“It is not to be, though, so what we can do is try to keep our unbeaten run going and hopefully win against all the top sides.”
Stephen O’Donnell as an injury doubt, while Lochee United midfielder Craig Robertson is set to play his final game as a trialist. Smith said, “We will wait and see if Stephen makes it.”
Meanwhile, Dunfermline’s Kevin Rutkiewicz admits the lure of silverware was the deciding factor when he agreed to join the Pars on loan from St Johnstone until the end of the season.
The big central defender had other offers on the table but, after weighing everything up, Rutkiewicz who captained Saints to the first division title two years ago came to the conclusion that the best chance he had of adding to his medal haul was by signing on at East End Park.
Now, with just eight matches left in this campaign, he has issued a rallying cry to his team-mates ahead of the clash with 21-game unbeaten Dundee at Dens Park.
“It is the business end of the season now and it is vital we go on a run,” said Rutkiewicz. “There are eight games to go and, as it stands, Raith Rovers have a two-point start on us at the top of the league.
“We cannot shirk away from the challenge and look elsewhere for a result to go for us. The simple fact is, if we win every game between now and the end of the season, we will be champions as we still have to play Raith.
“We have eight cup finals now and no one can afford to hold anything back. At the moment, I am just here until the end of the season and I have not looked any further than that.
“I had other options in the first division but I looked at them and decided to join the club I thought would be winning silverware. I did not come here to finish second and I am determined to pick up another winner’s medal.
“There are very few players, regardless of how good they are, who win a lot in the game. This is a well-supported club which should be in the SPL and it is up to us to ensure that happens.”
Rutkiewicz was keen to pay tribute to Dundee’s remarkable unbeaten sequence of results under Barry Smith but stressed that he and the rest of the Pars squad are determined it will come to a shuddering halt.
“Dundee really are on a magnificent run just now,” he said. “It was a great opportunity for Barry and I think he and the squad have used what has happened at the club, with administration and the 25-point reduction, to their advantage.
“There is a real team ethic about them and even in games where they have been down, like Saturday’s at Falkirk, they have come back and managed to get something out of it. They have good players there, that was never in doubt, but I think what has happened to them has forced upon them a grittiness.
“Perhaps a year ago the side was maybe a bit soft and they let games get away from them. Now, they deserve all the plaudits and credit they receive, regardless of when this run comes to an end which we are determined will be against us.
“But I am delighted for Dundee which is saying something as I have just come from one of their bitterest rivals at St Johnstone. Scottish football needs clubs like Dundee to be thriving and prospering.”
Rutkiewicz’s manager Jim McIntyre also insisted that, after beating Stirling 4-1 on Saturday, his players are full of confidence as they prepare for the game at Dens.
“Dundee are on a frightening run but we will be going there determined to end it,” he said. “I think Barry has won three manager of the month awards in a row which is a fantastic effort and it could not happen to a nicer guy.
“We know how tough it will be as they are brimming with confidence and playing really well. But we had a good result at the weekend and we will also approach the game in a confident frame of mind.”
Steven Bell, Nick Phinn and Neil McGregor will miss out through injury while Gary Mason is suspended after his red card at the weekend against the Binos.