The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Standards set in win over Rangers
DUNDEE: Dark Blues boss not willing to accept any slip in levels of performance
Dundee’s players will get a blunt message from manager Paul Hartley when they report back to training this morning.
It is not that the heroes who beat Rangers in such convincing fashion at Dens on Sunday have fallen foul of an impossible-to-please gaffer.
Rather, Hartley will tell them in no uncertain terms they must maintain the standard they showed in that memorable 2-1 win because he knows that is what it will take to stay in the top six.
The victory, which was thoroughly deserved against a Rangers team that they dominated physically and psychologically, brought to an end a 25-year wait for a home win over the Ibrox men.
More significantly, the three points moved the Dark Blues into the coveted sixth place in the Premiership.
After such a high it would be tempting to let the level of performance slip ever so slightly.
However, with Motherwell waiting at Fir Park this Saturday and a host of challenging fixtures between now and the end of the season, Hartley is determined not to let that happen.
“Next weekend can’t be different,” he said.
“That is the level we have to take into the next few weeks.
“The players need to know this is not a one-off.
“It will be hard work again come Tuesday morning.
“The challenge for us is that can’t be a one-off because it’s Rangers. “We have to be like that every time. “The league is so tight, with everybody jostling to get in there, that we will be looking over our shoulders.”