Paul Hartley has defiantly declared that Dundee will “have a go” and not simply sit back and defend at Celtic Park tomorrow.
It will be the first time the Dens Park boss has returned to the club where he plied his trade as a player between 2007 and 2009 in his present role as manager.
And he has promised that the Dark Blues, who drew with the Hoops in the City of Discovery back in August, will be sent out with instructions to attack at Celtic Park as Dundee look to extend their four-game unbeaten run.
Hartley said: “I’m looking forward to Parkhead.
“I’ve not been there since 2010 as a player. So I’m relishing going back there as a manager.
“It’s a good place to go. It’s a great arena for the players to go and play and test themselves against the best team in Scotland who are top of the league.
“Hopefully it will bring out the best in them. Our players are really up for the game this week.
“Earlier in the season at Dens, we matched them for most of the game and probably should have won it in the last 20 minutes.
“Some of our play was good so we’ll have to go there in a good frame of mind and be positive against a team like Celtic.
“More often than not, teams go there and sit back waiting for things to happen.
“But I don’t think we can really do that.
“We’ll have a go. I think that’s the only way we know how to play.
“There’s no point going there and admiring Celtic. We’ll go there with a game-plan to try to win the match.”
Dundee will have to attempt to do that without long-term injury victims Peter MacDonald as well as Kyle Letheren.
Hartley revealed he has further injury and illness doubts, while the club are still trying to ascertain whether Iain Davidson, who was sent off in a development game last week, is suspended for the Celtic clash.
The manager said: “We’ve got a few who are struggling.
“Paul McGinn is a doubt. He has jarred his back and Martin Boyle has a virus.
“We’re also waiting to find out if Iain Davidson is suspended.
“Craig Wighton is still struggling. He didn’t feel right after the Under-20s game the other day.
“But Simon Ferry and Luka Tankulic will both be back in the squad.”