Kerr invokes ‘never-say-die’ spirit to sink Accies again

Dundee will be looking to summon the “never-say-die” spirit that saw them come from behind to beat Hamilton last time the sides met, according to Cammy Kerr.

There have been plenty of occasions when Accies have got the better of the Dark Blues in recent seasons but the full-back is focusing on the previous fixture in which Neil McCann’s men overcame a 1-0 deficit to emerge victorious deep into stoppage time.

“The last match is the game where I go back to the character we showed,” he recalled. “To be a goal behind, take a sucker punch but still come back to win.

“We need that resilience on Saturday again – the never-say-die attitude that I know we have.

“I don’t know if it comes from our battles in the Championship, but there’s a real rivalry between us and Hamilton.

“Hopefully that brings a good atmosphere. The cameras will be there and that ups the ante as well.”

Whatever the result between Ross County and Partick Thistle tomorrow night, Saturday lunchtime will be a pressure occasion for third-bottom Dundee.

Kerr added: “We don’t want to be in the position we are but we’ve now got to get wins from the last three games.

“Those games against the teams below you, and Hamilton level on points, are big. They are massive pressure games and we need to rise up and show our character by getting the three points.

“If we come out of these matches in 11th or 12th then we only have ourselves to blame but we know we have the ability to prevent that happening.”

Dundee will meanwhile face a Hamilton side who believe Saturday’s game is the biggest of their season.

The Lanarkshire club are above the Dark Blues on goal difference and, with games running out, boss Martin Canning will impress upon his squad the significance of a victory.

He said: “We have three games to go and this is the biggest game of the season for us.

“We spoke about it at the start of the week, how important this game is for everybody.

“Mentality is huge for these types of games, you have to make sure you are mentally ready to go and win the game and, if we can get that right, then we know from over the years that we can go up there and win.

“The fact that Ross County and Partick play on Friday night, we will have a better idea on Saturday what a result would mean. At this stage of the season, if we can win the game, with two games left with three teams below you, it would put you in a good position.

“You wouldn’t be mathematically safe, but it would put you in a good position.

“With another win you could be guaranteed to be safe.”

Hamilton’s 2-0 win over the Staggies last week was their first victory in eight games.

Canning acknowledged the boost his side were given from the result, but will press the reset button.

He said: “I’m big on refocusing every week and going again.

“If you think because you have had a positive result you are now going to get a second positive result, it is wrong.

“The exact same as if you have had a bad result and think you are going to get another bad result, it is wrong.

“The mentality has got to be spot on again.

“There is little between the teams and I think it is the team that handles the occasion the best who will come out on top.”