Dundee boss Paul Hartley is hoping his inside knowledge of Saturday’s opponents Alloa could prove to be a big advantage.
The manager spent two successful seasons with the Wasps before taking over at Dens, steering the side to successive promotions. He is hoping to achieve the same feat with the Dark Blues.
However the chances of him doing so were dealt a huge blow when they suffered a shock defeat at Morton last Saturday.
Now, if Dundee’s season-long promotion challengers Hamilton win their remaining two games, they will be crowned champions. Hartley, though, is determined his side will secure a victory at Recreation Park to ensure that the title race reaches a nail-biting conclusion next week.
When asked if knowing Alloa inside out gave him an edge, he said: “Yes, it might be an advantage. The shape of their team has changed a little bit but the personnel are much the same since I was there.
“I know what their strengths are so it might become an advantage depending on their team and how they set up.
“We have spoken to the players and given them a few things on them, what their strengths are and what their weaknesses are. They are a team who will try to play, pass the ball and work hard.
“They are a good group of players there but I am more focused on my team and how we are going to perform.
“We want to win the match and take it in to the last game of the season. We will have a big backing and the players should be looking forward to this take it into the last game of the season and see what happens.
“That is all you could ask for.”
Dundee will have to try to beat Alloa without Kyle Benedictus who has suffered a back injury.
And Hartley admitted he has a selection headache or two with decisions over whether to opt for youngster Cammy Kerr at full-back or to give the nod to the experienced Gary Irvine.
He said: “Kyle has hurt his back so he will not be in the squad for Saturday. Iain Davidson will miss out next week because of suspension but we will worry about that later.
“Cammy Kerr has done well in the last two games but Gary has great experience. Everybody though is in my thoughts for Saturday.
“We have decisions to make to pick the right team to win it. Christian Nade also did well last week and he comes into our thoughts like everybody else.”