McCann tells Dundee it is time for a bit of swagger
NEIL McCANN has urged his Dundee players to approach tomorrow’s city derby with a ‘swagger’ befitting their status as favourites in the Betfred Cup Group C tie at Dens Park.
As a veteran of this rivalry as a player, as well as the Edinburgh and Glasgow versions, the Dundee manager hopes his Premiership squad derive self-belief and revel in the gap that separates them from their Championship neighbours.
‘If the boys are worried about being favourites because they are the Premiership side, then I don’t think they are in the right place,’ he said. ‘They should embrace it. They should be walking out there with a swagger.
‘Dundee United might use these words to motivate them. I don’t really care. They know themselves they are the Championship side. They will want to put one over on us.
‘There is nothing wrong with being confident. As long as you are not disrespectful to the opposition team or fans or players.’
With both sides having enjoyed three wins each in Group C, United have the edge on goal difference and may settle for the draw that would ensure the two city rivals progress to the knockout stages.
However, having suffered the humiliation of being consigned to the Championship in their last outing at Dens Park in May 2016, the supporters in tangerine may place more significance on victory.
McCann (below) accepts that those who remain at Dens from the ‘Doon Derby’ may draw on that experience as they steel themselves for what awaits on this occasion. Yet, he would rather the raw emotion of that 90 minutes gives way to a more composed display from his players.
‘Off the top of my head, I remember winning a Dundee derby, an Edinburgh derby and a Glasgow one. They are brilliant occasions to play in,’ added McCann, who will have striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui available after injury.
‘In derbies, people sometimes end up getting involved in the occasion. Alex McLeish (former Rangers manager) used to say: fire in the belly, ice in the head. That is a good saying. You want them fired up but make sure they make cool decisions.
‘There are different levels of intensity for different derbies. The Glasgow one stands alone for obvious reasons. But I am not ignorant to what it means to the actual clubs, especially being so close. It adds a bit of spice to this one.’
Another intriguing element will be the likely confrontation between Dundee skipper Darren O’Dea and United’s new signing Scott McDonald. The pair are firm friends and former team-mates from Celtic, where they were used to battling for the same cause on derby day.
McDonald’s lack of fitness could restrict him to a more fleeting involvement than he would like, but O’Dea has promised his pal the kind of ‘warm’ welcome if they do cross paths again on the pitch.
‘We were best pals at Celtic and our wives and kids are best pals so Scott is a very close friend of mine — or was!’ joked the Dundee defender. ‘Seriously, he’s a good lad and a very good signing for them, but I’ll wait until after the weekend to wish him luck.
‘Scott is a great character and great for the dressing room. He’s a winner. I had plenty of fights playing with and against him. He is the biggest moaner you’ll ever come across.
‘I didn’t hesitate to put him up in the air when I played with him and I certainly haven’t since I’ve played against him.’
O’Dea relished the atmosphere and the victory against United in their last meeting nearly 15 months ago and a sell-out crowd will ensure another special occasion, even if the consequences of defeat will not be as dire. The 30-year-old simply hopes the plethora of new players in the Dundee side learn as quickly as possible the importance of the fixture and how to handle it. ‘It’s about who wants it more,’ he added. ‘Sometimes the technical side can go out the window but we want to impose ourselves on the game and control it. I always associate these games with your desire and temperament as much as anything. We’ll be ready in all aspects.’ United midfielder Lewis Toshney can’t wait for another taste of the Tayside derby after experiencing the occasion twice when he played a season on loan at Dundee from Celtic back in 2012-13. He said: ‘I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere on Sunday. Whatever reception I get won’t bother me. I can’t wait. ‘It wasn’t as if I supported either team as a kid. I grew up a Celtic fan. ‘All that matters is I’m a Dundee United player now and I’ll be giving everything for them on Sunday.’