There will be a big Kilmarnock goalkeeper connection at Dens tonight with former Rugby Park team-mates set to line up in opposite goals.
Dundee stopper Kyle Letheren admits he will be delighted to be reunited with Rangers’ new boy Cammy Bell but he insists there will be no old pals’ act when the game starts.
The former Wales under-21 is aware that after being virtually reduced to the role of spectator during the Dark Blues’ Ramsdens Cup victory at Alloa on Saturday, he is certain to be subjected to a lot of “friendly” fire in a game specially arranged to mark the 120th anniversary of Dundee’s first fixture.
Letheren said: “Alloa passed it about well on Saturday in the first half but they didn’t really threaten my goal.
“I should have a bit more to do on Wednesday night against Rangers though.
“They and Celtic are the two fixtures that all players look out for. So to play them in a pre-season friendly against my old pal Cammy Bell is a real good one.
“Me and Cammy were firm friends at Kilmarnock and we still keep in touch. We always supported one another even although we were competing for the same shirt.
“He deserved his big move to Rangers.
“His form was unbelievable for Kilmarnock and he never gave me a chance to chap the manager’s door to say I deserved an opportunity as his form didn’t dip.”
Letheren said: “A lot of credit for the club’s top six finishes and winning the League Cup was down to Cammy.
“His performance in that final was incredible. Rangers will definitely get back into the SPL and he will help them do that.
“I think he will be a raging success there as he has all the right attributes. I do not see any reason why he can’t make it into the national side as well.
“The hardest part about the international scene is actually getting on to the pitch as you have Allan McGregor and other keepers playing in the Championship down south.”
After Letheren was released by Kenny Shiels, he attracted interest from clubs in England however, he was told that he would not be first choice with those sides to start with.
Having played second fiddle to Bell at Kilmarnock, that was a role he was not content to fill again.
So when Dens gaffer John Brown brought him to Dundee, he was determined to seize his chance with both of his big mitts.
He said: “I had a number of offers from down south but they all told me that I would start off as the No 2 keeper. That wasn’t what I wanted. I have been sitting on the bench for most of my career.
“Being at Dundee has opened that pathway to play 30 or 40 games a season. The gaffer has given me the chance to do that.
“He hadn’t seen much of me in action but he rang Billy Thomson the Kilmarnock goalkeeping coach.
“Thankfully, Billy gave me a glowing reference. The gaffer brought me in and after a couple of games, told me I would be first choice.”