Fontaine urges Dundee to do ‘hard graft’ necessary to secure their play-off spot

Dundee will look to take a huge step in securing a promotion play-off spot tonight when they host Ayr United in the Championship.

James Mcpake’s men, who are currently third in the table, can tighten their grip on that position with just five games remaining if they can get the better of the Honest Men, who are themselves looking to avoid the relegation play-offs. David Hopkin’s outfit are only a point clear of ninth place.

Dundee come into the match on the back of a 1-0 defeat by St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup and while a run in that competition would have been welcomed, the priority is to return to the Premiership.

“The motivation is always there to get to the top league, whatever country you play in,” said defender Liam Fontaine.

“We’ve got to do the hard graft in the league we’re in at the moment. We keep saying it but we have to keep our performances up there each game.

“We’re in a good position at the moment, we’ve just got to win our games and, hopefully, we can secure a play-off spot.”

A win for Dundee would also go some way to delaying Hearts being crowned champions. Dundee would move on to 36 points with a win, level with Raith Rovers in second place. Both teams will have played a game less than Hearts – who play their next match against Alloa on Friday – and could delay their coronation further by winning at the weekend.

Elsewhere, Neil Mccann hopes Inverness left-back Cameron Harper will be fit to feature against Morton. The 19-year-old was forced off on Saturday, but Mccann said: “We’re monitoring him and trying to be very careful.”