The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dark Blues’ belief key to hopes of cup shock
McCann demands positive mindset
Dundee boss Neil McCann insists his players can stop Celtic’s domestic domination and progress to the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup – but only if they have 100% belief in their ability to do so.
The last time the Hoops tasted defeat against another Scottish side was away back on May 11 2016 when they were beaten by St Johnstone.
Since then, Brendan Rodgers’ side have swept all before them in this country, but McCann believes his players are capable of bringing that run to a halt.
The Dens boss said: “Somebody has got to stop them – absolutely.
“I would probably say that every other manager who has come up against Brendan domestically has thought it’s going to be us.
“I think it’s going to be us but ultimately the players have got to believe it’s going to be them.
“I can give them all the encouragement and tactics you want, but when they cross the line they’ve got to reach inside.
“Literally, they have got to 100% believe that themselves.
“Depending on which way the game is going, that will actually have an impact on their mindset.
“They have to believe they can do it – 100%.”
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 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.”
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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