The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Todd insists Dons hold no fears for Dark Blues
BETFRED CUP: Dens midfielder says belief in squad is high
Josh Todd insists Dundee will play without fear when they face Premiership big guns Aberdeen in the Betfred Cup at Dens on Sunday.
The Dark Blues will start as underdogs against Derek McInnes’s side with the Dons firm favourites with the bookmakers to go through to the last eight of the competition.
However, despite playing in a league below Aberdeen, Todd is adamant that after taking four points from their first two Championship games, including Saturday’s home win over Ayr, Dundee will approach the cup-tie in a bullish frame of mind.
The 25-year-old, who joined Dundee from Queen of the South earlier this summer, said: “We haven’t got anything to fear.
“We are a new team but we all believe in each other. Yes, they are a league above but at the end of the day it’s a one-off.
“You never know what will happen because they could take their foot off the pedal a bit as well. Anything can happen in the cup.
“They have a good team, really good individuals too, so it is a big test.
“We need to accept that and turn up ready to get at them, nothing to fear and try to get into the next round.
“We believe in ourselves, there is no doubt about that.”
That belief comes on the back of the opening two Championship fixtures with Todd hoping a good result against Aberdeen will keep momentum building at Dens.
The midfielder added: “We got the draw on a hard Friday night at Dunfermline and then picked up our first win on Saturday.
“Even though we do believe in ourselves, getting that first win really adds to that. We just need to keep that up and try to get as many wins as possible.
“In the Championship, we know every game is going to be tough, whether we can play football or grind it out as a team but we got the win on Saturday which is the most important thing.
“Hopefully, we can start building some momentum.”
Todd has come off the bench in the last three games and he is determined to continue doing as much as he can to secure a starting spot in James McPake’s team.
Todd said: “As a player, you just need to do what you can and if you get picked, you get picked.
“I’ve been coming on and doing all I can to try to help the team get results.
“Every player wants a starting spot but we’ll have to see over the next few weeks.
“But I feel like I’ve been doing well off the bench.
“It’s the gaffer’s job to pick the team – it’s my job to put pressure on him to pick me.”