Dundee United central defender Mark Durnan knows better than most what to expect from Dundee’s dynamic duo.
Durnan faced up to Kane Hemmings and Greg Stewart when he was at Queen of the South and the Dens pair were at Cowdenbeath.
He was well aware of what they could do back then but he has been even more impressed by Stewart and Hemmings since they joined the Dark Blues.
Both are seen as potential derby matchwinners going into tomorrow’s lunchtime clash at Tannadice but Durnan also feels there is plenty of goal threat in the home ranks.
“The Dundee forwards have proved this season how good they are, with the number of goals they have scored,” said Durnan.
“They have linked very well together.
“So, when it comes to it, we defenders need to be on our toes to stop them.
“I did come across Hemmings and Stewart when they were at Cowdenbeath and I was at Queen of the South.
“You could tell even then that they were good players.
“I knew they would step up a level, which they have done at Dundee.
“How did I get on against them? I’m sure the boy Stewart got injured and I think I might have tackled him
“I think what makes them tick is their self-belief, believing they are good enough to go on the park and do it against anyone.
“They obviously had a good bond at Cowdenbeath and they have carried it on at Dundee.”
Durnan was asked if the Dark Blues’ forwards were more of a handful than most in the Premiership.
He replied: “I wouldn’t say so.
“I think there are a lot of good partnerships in the league.
“They have done well but I wouldn’t say they are the strongest.”
Of course, United boast an in-form frontman themselves in the form of Henri Anier.
The Estonian international, who has just been called up again by his country, has scored three times in the two recent matches against Ross County and Motherwell.
Durnan is confident Anier can hit the target again in the derby.
He said: “Henri has done brilliantly.
“He works really hard and does a lot off the ball as well.
“The manager brought him back from his loan spell at Hibs, gave him a chance and he has taken it.
“His three goals were taken very well and I hope he can kick on because he is a great lad.
“We have a few matchwinners in this team but we need to go and prove that on Sunday.
“It is good to have boys like Henri coming in and scoring.
“We all need to chip in, though, and the important thing is we win.
“It is easy saying we have more firepower than the teams around us.
“We need to go and show it, score goals, keep clean sheets and get the wins we need.
“We are in the position we are in and we have to handle it.
“You can’t go out there and say ‘we’re down.’
“You have to fight every week and that’s what we are trying to do.”
Durnan was sent off against County in the Scottish Cup quarter-final – ruling him out of the semi against Hibs – then sat on the bench for the defeat at Fir Park.
So he is desperate to be back in the side for the big one.
He said: “You are always disappointed when you are not playing but it was probably down to a bit of sloppiness at Ross County when I got sent off.
“So I couldn’t really argue with the manager’s decision.
“Hopefully, I have done well in training this week and can get back into the starting line-up.”