Dundee may be poised to scratch their seven-year SPL itch but they will put all thoughts of the top flight out of their minds when they face Kendal Town tonight.
The Dark Blues are waiting on their fate being decided, with both the emergency meeting of the Scottish Football League on Friday and the Scottish Premier League annual gathering on Monday looming large on the horizon.
However, football rather than off-field matters will be to the forefront for the Dens men when they meet the English non-league side at the Cosyseal Stadium in the Lake District.
That suits winger Nicky Riley just fine and he insisted the prospect of the most dramatic of promotions won’t be preying on minds this evening.
”There is so much uncertainty with the Rangers situation just now,” said Riley. ”We just have to try and blank it out, as the gaffer has stressed.
”We have to take whatever happens in our stride and focus on getting fit and ready for the new season. I am sure we can do just that.”
Should the Dark Blues be invited into the top league, Riley reckons they will have in their ranks a readymade SPL star in the form of new signing Declan Gallagher.
The former Celtic youth has made an instant impression since signing for Barry Smith’s side and is set to feature against Kendal.
Riley knows Gallagher from coming through the ranks together at Parkhead and he reckons the ex-Clyde man has what it takes to shine in the top-flight.
”I have known Declan since our days at Celtic and he is a quality player,” added Riley. ”He is one of these footballing centre-halves who likes to get the ball down and build from the back.
”He has a bright future ahead of him. Declan is still only 21 and can certainly play at the highest level in Scotland.
”When he was at Celtic he was always very highly regarded so we are just delighted to have him here with us.”
Riley can’t wait for the big kick-off, wherever it may be, after a hamstring injury kept him out for much of last season’s campaign as Dundee finished runners-up to First Division champions Ross County.
But the 26-year-old is fit again and has signed a new one-year deal with the Dark Blues in the summer.
He said: ”I am buzzing again after the pain of last season. It wasn’t nice at times sitting on the sidelines injured and not being able to help the boys. But that’s all in the past now.
”The gaffer has made some excellent signings and we will be ready for whatever challenge awaits us next season.”