Docherty delighted that his players can call on home comforts

Tony Docherty hopes Dundee's pitch controversies are behind them and his team are able to get the recognition he feels they deserve for their “wonderful” top-six feat.

The Dark Blues have been heavily criticised for having five postponements at Dens Park this term due to waterlogging, including their fixture against title-chasing Rangers which was called off twice in the past month.

The showdown with Philippe Clement's side is set to go ahead tonight at the third time of asking after a successful pitch inspection yesterday, although contingency plans had been put in place to take it to St Johnstone's Mcdiarmid Park in the event it was deemed unplayable.

“It was great, the news came through when we were up training and the players are buzzing about that,” manager Docherty said at his prematch media briefing. “Home has been fantastic for us so it's great that we've got a game on at home to look forward to.”

In the event of an unexpected deterioration in the weather, the option remains to take the game to Perth. But Docherty is optimistic his team will be able to play out the campaign without further disruption.

“That's something I can't affect, if that was the case,” he said. “We've all become weather forecasters in the last week or two but I think the forecast is to be fine so I would have real confidence in the fact the game will get played at Dens.

“Particularly with the weather the way it is now. I'd like to think we can look ahead now to the remaining six matches.”

After the match against Rangers was called off last Wednesday, the Ibrox club released a statement accusing Dundee of “negligence and unprofessionalism” and “repeatedly breaching SPFL rules”, but Docherty refused to be drawn on whether he felt the criticism had been unfair.

“All my focus and the team's focus is on performances on the pitch,” he said. “Regardless of what the noise is outside, I'll just continue to focus on my team and what I can affect.”

Dundee secured a top-six spot at the weekend. Their next target is to reel in fifth-placed St Mirren and push for Europe.