Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Parkhead clash will be a family affair for Aaron
DUNDEE’S clash with Celtic will be a real family affair for Aaron Donnelly.
The on-loan Nottingham Forest defender will be roared on by his own special supporters club from his home in Northern Ireland.
It should be a memorable occasion to savour for selfconfessed Hoops fan Donnelly, who has impressed in dark blue.
However, he insists his No 1 priority is securing a result against all the odds for Dundee, who are determined to respond positively after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Hibs at Easter Road.
The 20-year-old said: “We know we weren’t as good as we could be. However, we are ready to bounce back against Celtic and come out fighting.
“We know how tough a place Parkhead is to go to but we will go with a game plan and try to get a result.
“Celtic are a phenomenal team but if we can get something, it will show the character we have in the team. We will be ready for the challenge.
“At the start of the season, I travelled to Parkhead with the squad but I was injured.
“So I am really looking forward to the game, especially as I am a Celtic fan.
“A lot of my family and friends are coming over from Ireland for the game.
“I think eight of my mates and a few of my aunties, uncles and cousins will be there as well.
“It will be a big occasion for me and I am really looking forward to it, but I will try to put that to the back of my mind and just concentrate on the game.
“It will be good to see everyone afterwards and hopefully it will be good for them to watch me playing on such a big occasion.”
Despite Dundee’s defeat at Easter Road, they remain in sixth place in the Premiership.
And Donnelly insists the Dark Blues are determined to finish the regular season in the top half of the table.
The highly rated Northern Ireland Under-21 star added: “People say we are a newly promoted team but I think as you can see by the league that we can push for top six.
“Obviously the No 1 priority at the start of the season was staying in the league.
“But now we know what we can do within the league. We know we can fight against big teams and get results.
“So we will go to Celtic and treat it as just another game to try to get points on the board.
“From a personal viewpoint, I just want to play as many games until the end of the season to showcase what I can do first and foremost to the gaffer and the fans.”
Meanwhile, Tony Docherty has revealed that Dundee have suffered a big blow with Zach Robinson set to be sidelined for at least three weeks.
The on-loan AFC Wimbledon striker missed Saturday’s defeat at Easter Road after injuring his ankle in training.
Initially, it seemed to be a minor problem but Docherty has now confirmed the frontman – who has six goals to his name so far this season – will be out for longer than first thought, starting with tonight’s trip to Celtic.
The manager said: “Unfortunately, last week Zach Robinson picked up an ankle injury. We were training indoors and he just went over it.
“At first we just thought it was a wee innocuous type of thing but it is not. It has ruled him out for probably at least three weeks.
“That’s really disappointing as Zach was doing really well and going the right way.
“Ryan Howley is still recovering from his hamstring as is Diego Pineda. So they are the three main injuries at the moment.
“Antonio Portales is back and fully fit. He will be in contention for a starting place against Celtic.”
Dundee have lost twice to Celtic by the same 3-0 scoreline already this season and will be huge underdogs when they travel to Glasgow.
However, while Docherty acknowledges there is also a big gap in resources between the sides, he is confident his players can match the Hoops in other departments.
He added: “We have come up as the newly promoted team and it is for nights like this, going to Celtic Park to play the champions.
“What we can’t match in finances – everybody knows there is a huge gulf – we can match them in spirit, mentality and togetherness.
“As a group, that’s what I have in there. When it is 11 v 11, I can depend on my boys knowing that they will give me absolutely everything.”
Docherty also revealed he may look to freshen up his selection at Celtic Park.
He added: “I thought we looked a little weary at times on Saturday, so we will try where we can look to get the balance right between fresh legs, experience and go down there with a game plan to get points.”