HORSFIELD’S HIGH HOOPS FOR DUNDEE

DUNDEE defender James Horsfield is adamant the daunting visit of Celtic is not a forgone conclusion.

The Dark Blues slipped to a third straight league defeat when a scrappy Sean Clare goal secured a 1-0 triumph for Hearts on Saturday.

That ensured Jim McIntyre’s strugglers remained in 11th spot and three points away from guaranteed safety.

The next challenge could barely be any tougher as the Dens Park outfit welcome the treble Treble-chasing Hoops to Tayside on Sunday.

But defiant Horsfield reckons belief is the key to stunning Celtic.

The former Manchester City youngster said: “You need to go into every game with a positive mindset.

“If you go into any game thinking you are going to lose then you will definitely lose, regardless of who you are playing.

“We know it will be a very difficult game because Celtic are a top side but we need to go into the game with the heart and desire to get points.

“We need to try to stay positive and keep seeing BY ALAN MARSHALL the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Horsfield, snapped up on loan from Scunthorpe United, was one of an incredible 12 January signings made by McIntyre as he embarked on a mid-season revolution.

He reckons the new-look Dundee side is still taking shape – but knows the Dark Blues need to start turning performances into points swiftly.

Horsfield said: “We lost to Hearts with a really sloppy goal and I don’t remember Sady Dieng making many saves beyond that.

“We had some good chances that we didn’t put away. It was a really scrappy game.

“We are a still gelling, we are a very new team and getting to know each other. However, we need to start picking up results.

“I’ve never experienced so many new players coming in halfway through a season but that is what the manager wants.

“He knows what he needs so we need to stick together and work hard to get the right results.”