Gary Harkins has revealed former Dundee boss Jocky Scott often stunned his players by being the club’s most unlikely joker.
But he insists the veteran manager will be deadly serious as he attempts to beat the Dark Blues this Saturday.
Scott was sacked with Dundee top of the table and on course for promotion to the SPL 11 months ago, but following his departure Inverness timed their run to perfection and overtook them to claim the first division title.
Dundee have since slipped into administration and are embroiled in a battle to stay up after being docked 25 points by the SFL.
Scott was appointed the new Stirling boss last month and will be desperate to lead the Binos to victory over his old club in what has become a relegation battle.
Harkins pointed out, “Jocky used to enjoy a laugh and a joke with the boys. It was a side which some people didn’t see.
“To be fair, he got on well with most of the lads during his time here, but what happened is obviously well documented.
“He liked the banter when the time was right, but when it came down to the nitty gritty there was nobody more focused.
“Jocky will have Stirling well fired up for this game because it’s only natural with what’s at stake as well as the circumstances.
“I liked him as manager. He took me to Dundee from Partick Thistle and I enjoyed playing under him.Friendship”But I know as well as he does that the only thing that will matter come Saturday is trying to get the three points, so in that respect all friendship goes out the window.”
Harkins has detected an improved Stirling side since Scott took over and is not surprised they have found a new lease of life under their veteran gaffer.
He added, “I am delighted he’s got the Stirling job and the chance to get back into football.
“Knowing Jocky, he would have been so frustrated being out of football that he would just have been dying to get involved.
“I don’t think it is any surprise that they have picked up a bit since he came in, which showed when they got a decent result up in Ross County last weekend.
“I think he will looking at this as an opportunity to make up for lost time which is why they’ll be dangerous opponents.”
Dundee are unbeaten in 14 games and look on course to avoid the drop, but Harkins insisted they can’t afford to ease off.
He added, “We don’t want to throw it all away now after coming this far.
“A lot of people didn’t think we would be able to put it together after everything that’s gone on at the club this season.
“But we have just shown that with spirit and determination anything is possible. Our late win over Raith was proof that we don’t give up.
“In saying that, we have not achieved anything yet. We know there’s still a lot of hard work to be done and are looking no further than Stirling.”HeroLast weekend’s goal-scoring hero Neil McCann is in the squad again but there won’t be any other trialists involved.
Former Barnet striker Jake Hyde is training with Dundee but won’t be in the pool.
Manager Barry Smith said, “The players just need to keep going about their business the same way they have been.
“It won’t guarantee a win but it will give us a good chance of a win.”
Scott claims he is only interested in picking up a win over the Dens Park side.
He said, “Stirling have done well recently but we need to start winning games and picking points up.
“It may well be Dundee that we are playing but it is three points that are available just like any other team and that is all I want to achieve.”
Scott is without the banned pair of Jonathan Brown and Scott Robertson along with injured goalkeeper Callum Reidford and defender Martyn Corrigan.
The Albion boss is hoping to have a midfielder from a SPL side on loan by kick-off time.