Betfred Cup old and new

IT feels like the new season is already here after the Betfred Cup group draw.

And, of course, with a Dundee derby to get the blood pumping right from the start of the season there will be plenty to talk about in Group C.

Add to that, Dark Blues legend Barry Smith taking on his old side as boss of Raith Rovers, Gary Locke’s Blue Brazil and the relative unknown of Highland League side Buckie Thistle.

It promises a storyline for each fixture for the Dundee sides — but what should they be expecting?

Derby

It’s a game neutrals were wanting — and no doubt a game BT Sport would have been desperate for — but it’s one that piles on the pressure for both managers.

For Ray McKinnon and Neil McCann it will be their first taste of a City of Discovery derby as managers, although both have, of course, played in them.

It will also be a sharp test for the two city squads with both sets of fans hoping there will be plenty of new faces on show. Last meeting: Dundee 2 Dundee Utd 1 Dark Blues fans of course remember this one as the “Doon Derby”, while Arabs would be keen to forget any mention of it.

Dundee are unbeaten in the last four meetings between the sides but, over the years, and decades, have never had a particularly good record in derbies.

United’s record is 81 wins to 54 for Dundee.

Raith Rovers

Both Dundee clubs would no doubt have preferred another pick in the third pot for the group.

Raith had a horrible season firstly under Gary Locke — who they’ll meet again against Cowdenbeath — and then John Hughes which, of course, saw them relegated to League One.

Under new boss Smith, though, they might have the new-manager bounce along with some fresh faces. Last meetings: Dundee 4 Raith 0 The last clash between the sides was also an early-season League Cup game back in August 2014 with goals from Greg Stewart, Paul McGinn, Paul MacDonald and Martin Boyle. Raith 2 Dundee Utd 1 A poor afternoon for the Tangerines gave Rovers hope of escaping the drop in March as United lost their third game in a row that month. Craig Barr and Ryan Hardie had Raith two up before

Barry Smith will be back in Dundee with his new side Raith Rovers. Kosta Gadzhalov scores back in May last year during the last city derby at