Dundee midfielder Jim McAlister admits St Mirren’s stance on league reconstruction has added some extra spice to this weekend’s relegation showdown between the two sides.
While Dark Blues chief executive Scot Gardiner has been vociferous in his support of the SPL’s proposed 12-12-18 blueprint for change, the Buddies have come under fire for their part in blocking the radical plans with St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour singled out for particular stick from several quarters this week.
As luck would have it, Dundee travel to Paisley on Saturday for what is a must-win match to prolong their top flight status, but McAlister believes Monday’s events at Hampden have given everyone at Dens Park that little extra motivation.
“It’s a massive game and with all that’s gone on this week I’m sure it will give us an extra edge,” he said.
“Our board of directors were all for it (league reconstruction) so you can be sure they will have us fired up that bit more.
“We all thought that the proposal was for the good of the game but now it looks as though it’s not going to happen and that’s hugely disappointing.
“We know what’s at stake with regards to staying up and this off-field stuff means we’ll be raring to go come kick-off.”
It is win or bust for Dundee on Saturday as a draw or defeat would consign the Dark Blues to First Division football next season.
However, McAlister hasn’t given up hope of clawing back the 13-point gap that exists between them and this weekend’s hosts.
He added: “We know it’s all or nothing. But I reckon that can work in our favour because we know basically what we have to do before we go out onto the park.
“A draw is no use so we just have to go out and try to get the three points as we have done in every game of late. It’s not too late. We know another win can start to make people above us look over their shoulders.”
With just five games remaining to save their SPL spot, McAlister hopes Dundee supporters will make the trip to Paisley in their droves on Saturday to throw their weight behind the club’s brave survival bid.
It has been a hard season for everyone connected with Dundee but the players are keen to give fans reason to be cheerful in the run-in.
“The fans have been great,” McAlister said.
“They all realise we’re trying our best to stay in the SPL and the effort and commitment is most definitely there. We need to raise our game again this Saturday and when the supporters are right behind you it helps.
“We want to give them a positive result to take back home and they can play their part too.”
On the pitch, McAlister reckons fellow midfield maestro Gary Harkins relishes these types of high pressure games and hopes other players will show similar enthusiasm on Saturday.
He explained: “The big ones always seem to bring out the best in Gary.
“He was brilliant down at Kilmarnock and I think he had a point to prove after the way he left the club. I think that showed in his performance.
“Gary is capable of great things and we just have to try and get the ball to him as much as possible and hopefully he can do damage in the opponents’ last third.
“He’s a great guy to have in the team. When he’s on that kind of form he’s hard to stop and and he creates so much for others.”