Dundee skipper Kevin Thomson has conceded that it would be a massive blow not to make the top six given the way the Dark Blues have performed in recent months.
Paul Hartley’s men earned what could prove to be a priceless point on Saturday as they drew 1-1 with high-flying Aberdeen, although they remain outside the Premiership’s top half with just four fixtures to go before the split.
Having said that though, Thomson reckons his side are still more than capable of clawing their way back into the mix with games against Inverness, Dundee United, St Johnstone and Celtic to come.
“I think it would be a big disappointment not to make the top six when we’re so close,” he told Courier Sport.
“It’s like getting to a semi-final you want to get to the final and I think finishing seventh is probably the worst position you can finish.
“We’re pushing.
“It’s in our hands and I think if we can win two or three of these games then we’ll be right in the mix.
“St Johnstone have been there and done it, so you’ve got to think they’ll hold the aces, but we’ve got to play them and it’ll be a massive game.
“It would be a great achievement to get top six, not only because of the fact that the manager changed the whole squad around.
“Hamilton have been terrific and the two teams who have come up have held their own.
“They never made many changes in the summer, we made 13, so it maybe took us a wee bit of time to gel but the manager has been terrific and has given the boys freedom to express themselves and go out and play and that’s paid dividends on the park.”
Thomson played his part as Dundee came from a goal down to secure a point at Dens on Saturday, and once more goalkeeper Scott Bain earned the Man of the Match award following some great saves and some calm handling which took all the pressure off the defence.
Performances like that are getting the Dark Blues’ keeper noticed, and Thomson fully believes a Scotland cap could well be in the 23-year-old’s future.
“I think the manager will know what he’s about and I speak to Scott a lot,” he added.
“That’s the stage he wants to get to and that’s where every player should strive to be.
“He’s got three top goalies in front of him at the moment but they are all in their 30s so there’s a wee niche in the market there just behind them.
“I did the media a couple of weeks ago and I said the biggest compliment that I could give him is that he reminds me of a young Allan McGregor.
“So I think if he can have half the career he’s had then he’ll be happy.
“He’s agile, he comes for crosses and he can kick it really well.
“I think he’s terrific and he’s got a great chance.”