Dark Blues need to ‘play with freedom’ against treble-winners

Dundee’s Jack Hendry admits his side have a chance of causing a big cup upset tonight if they play with freedom not fear.

The former Partick Thistle and Wigan defender has only faced Celtic once before when Hoops striker Leigh Griffiths made a mark on him in more ways than one.

However, while Hendry admits the front man and his team are now much stronger, Dundee have to believe they are beatable.

The centre-half said: “There is no extra weight on our shoulders going into the game as Celtic are obviously favourites.

“We will just go out and play with freedom – I think we are at our best when we do that.

“I have only played Celtic once before. It was one of my first games for Partick and we got beaten 2-0.

“I was up against Leigh Griffiths who I think was just playing up front by

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We will just have to go out and play with freedom - I think we are at our best when we do that. JACK HENDRY

himself. He left one on me so I am due him one! Griffiths has improved as a player since then and has featured on the international stage as well.

“He has come on a lot but I feel we are up to the task of managing him.

“Last season was a great one for Celtic and they will have a spring in their step especially having the Champions League as well.

“They are definitely a stronger outfit since the last time I played them.

“But these are the type of games you want to be involved in – a quarterfinal against the best team in Scotland.

“It is on the telly as well so you can’t get much better than that.

“Games like these are one of the reasons I came back up to Scotland.

“It would be massive for Dundee if we could beat them and stop their winning run

“We are more capable of doing that if we go into the game with the right attitude.”

Picture: SNS. Jack Hendry at Dens yesterday as he prepares to face cup favourites Celtic.