Kerr determined to repeat 2003 cup run

He was just a young supporter sitting with his mum and dad in the Hampden stands the last time Dundee played in the Scottish Cup final back in 2003.

Now 15 years on, Cammy Kerr is determined to return to the national stadium as a player with the Dark Blues.

Neil McCann’s men face Motherwell at Dens this afternoon with a place in the cup quarter-finals up for grabs.

Kerr is aware of just how difficult it will be to progress against the Steelmen but he is determined to cross every hurdle put in his way until he is back at Hampden with Dundee.

He said: “I was at the final in 2003 with my mum and dad. My mum never really comes to games but she made an exception just because of the occasion. “I think I was only seven or eight. “We got the bus through for the semis and then we took the car to the final. It was a great day but it didn’t end the way we all wanted.

“Dundee were great and Barry Smith whacked one off the post but they were just undone by a header from Lorenzo Amoruso.”

Dundee have played Motherwell twice already this season but there will be new threats to counter this time round with the Steelmen having recently added strikers Curtis Main and former Dundee United favourite Nadir Ciftci.

Kerr added: “The cup is really important. It was tough getting through in the last round against Inverness. We probably made it harder than we should have but we went up there and put in a really professional performance.

“We got it done and we move on to a really tough but winnable game against Motherwell. The boy Main has hit the ground running and we know Ciftci is dangerous as well.”

Dundee also boosted their squad with the addition of former England international Steven Caulker on Thursday.

It is still early days but Kerr admitted he has been mightily impressed with the 26-year-old.

He said: “I have obviously watched him on TV and he is a great player who has been at great clubs as well.

“He has a lot of experience even although he is only 26. He has been really sharp in training and you can see he has played at a high level.

“Steven is a tall lad with a real presence so he will definitely add to our squad. There have been a lot of big-name players who have come through the doors at Dens and you learn so much from them.

“He is another one that comes into that category.

“He even came to me on Thursday and asked about Dundee as he is new to the city. I told him what a great place and club it is and he seems to have settled in really well.”