Ryan Wallace has confessed Dunfermline do not have to look too far into the past to work out how much a threat Dundee’s strikers will be in tonight’s League Cup clash.
Greg Stewart and Kane Hemmings were a potent partnership at Cowdenbeath two seasons ago when they helped deny the Pars promotion back to the second-tier in a dramatic play-off final success for the Blue Brazil.
Both netted in a 3-0 victory that staved off relegation and denied the East End Park side a return to the Championship and are back together at Dundee this term to rekindle an on-field relationship that Wallace knows spells danger for the Fifers this evening.
He said: “Paul Hartley has brought in good players there.
“Greig Stewart has been firing in goals. He scored a few last season and he’s started on fire again this season. He’s a really good player.
“Kane went down south after Cowdenbeath and then came back up. You can see what he brings to the table as well. He’s very quick and direct.
“It will be a challenge, definitely, they’ll be a massive threat, but I’m sure the boys will relish it and try their hardest to stop them.”
Meanwhile, manager Allan Johnston hopes his high-flying Dunfermline side learn the lessons of Saturday’s surprise league defeat as they bid to pull off a cup shock.
The Pars had netted an incredible 25 goals in just five games to earn new manager Johnston a stunning start to life at East End Park.
However, the Fifers suffered their first set-back at the weekend when they succumbed to a late sucker-punch in a 2-1 defeat away to Peterhead.
The loss brought the League One favourites back down to earth with a bump just as they prepare to host Dundee, another team who have won plaudits for their early-season performances.
And Johnston is eager for his squad to heed their weekend warning if they want to progress in the League Cup this evening.
He said: “It was maybe a wee wake-up call because results had obviously been fantastic.
“You’ve got to remember it’s been a great start. If someone had said to us we would start the way we have we would have taken that in a minute.
“But it reminds us we need to work even harder, even though I think we were a wee bit unfortunate and didn’t deserve to get beat.
“It’s a wee reminder that we can’t afford to just turn up and win games.”