Neil ready to break the hearts of Thistle

BY ALAN MARSHALL NEIL McCANN reckons Dundee can exploit the gaps left at the back as desperate Partick Thistle bid to avoid the automatic drop at Dens today.

The Jags head to Tayside knowing a win would keep them above rock-bottom Ross County and give them a chance of survival via the play-off final.

The Dark Blues gave them a helping hand in midweek when they beat the Staggies 1-0.

McCann’s men hit County on the break up in Dingwall and the Dens boss reckons they can do the same today.

He said: “Thistle will be all out, leaving nothing on the pitch. I have read some comments from a number of players and Alan Archibald. They know what is at stake and they will be coming to win.

“One of the comments was a draw might not even be enough because they can’t consider that Ross County won’t win against St Johnstone.

“They will be at it but when a team plays with risk they leave themselves possibly a bit exposed and that’s where we looked dangerous against County.

“We will look to hit them on the break because when a team needs something so badly they will be a bit open.”

Three wins since the split have ended Dundee’s own fears of relegation and McCann insists there will be no let-up this afternoon.

He said: “I want another win because it would be a good way to end the season positively.

“I said after Ross County that we would be really professional.

“I won’t make wholesale changes and be disrespectful to the other teams because I know how important these games are to Partick and County.”