Dundee boss Paul Hartley is telling his players to keep calm and carry on as derby day looms.
These are exciting times for the Dens boss, with Sunday’s Dens Park clash against Dundee United his first-ever derby game as a manager.
His team is in excellent shape going into the fixture, too, with the Dark Blues having just won away to St Johnstone to stay unbeaten for the season.
However, Hartley will be looking to keep things cool this week, instead hoping his men stick to the routine that has served them so well thus far.
“As a manager preparing for a derby, you try to take a step back from it all,” he said.
“I will be telling the players that it will be as normal a week as we can make it We will prepare the same way. We won’t be doing anything different.
“I feel it’s important we keep a sense of normality in our build-up for both for myself and the players.
“They should not get caught up in the occasion but instead should enjoy it, make sure they play the game and that they don’t have any regrets at the end of it.”
“I don’t think it will be a normal match in terms of atmosphere because I imagine that will be cranked up,” said Hartley.
“But football-wise, we need to try to play our own game. I am looking for us to be composed when we get the ball, calm in possession and then have discipline throughout the game.
“I think it’s important to win your personal battle as early in the game as you can. The first period of these matches is always a bit frantic but you hope things settle down after that.”
Hartley acknowledged that, in joint-top United, his players will face an opposition brimful of talent but he stressed Dundee are not exactly short of ability themselves.
“We have seen enough of Dundee United seen how they play to know that they have good players but we think we also have quality about our team,” he said.
“Also, the spirit is good and we are hard to beat. United are a good side with good attacking options and fine young players coming through.
“It should be a cracking game on Sunday, a great advert for Scottish football.”
Hartley has taken note of the fact that the Tangerines will be without suspended striker Nadir Cifti but pointed out that Dundee are also currently without their captain.
Kevin Thomson is unlikely to play again before the month is out, with Hartley saying: “Ciftci will be missing for them but we will have a important player missing also.
“We are probably still a couple of weeks away with Thommo. He has had a little reaction to his calf (injury) But Willie Dyer should be running this week and Peaso (Peter MacDonald) should be too.”