McCann wants Dundee to believe they can stun Celtic

DUNDEE boss Neil McCann last night urged his side to believe they can knock out holders Celtic in a ‘cracker’ of a Betfred Cup quarter-final at Dens Park. The Dark Blues were handed a mouthwatering home tie against Brendan Rodgers’ Treble-winners next month after beating Dundee United 2-1 at home. McCann believes whoever hoists the trophy will have to beat Celtic along the way and he knows home advantage gives his side more of a hope than facing the Premiership champions in Glasgow. He said: ‘We’ve pulled the cracker out of the hat. But if you are going to win it you will have to beat Celtic at some stage, I would imagine. It’s probably the draw everyone wants to avoid. ‘They’re the best team in the country but having it at Dens Park has given ourselves a better chance. ‘I want the boys to believe they can go and challenge and be really competitive and have good cup runs this season.’ Dundee’s win came from stunning goals in either half from Faissal El Bakhtaoui and Paul McGowan. Afterwards, McCann challenged Moroccan El Bakhtaoui to fulfil his potential. ‘What can I say about Faissal? I love that kid. He has a feathery touch and thunder in his boots. ‘I’m hoping he can start doing that regularly. He just needs to believe in his own ability but he was sensational. ‘It was a terrific all-round team performance. It wouldn’t have flattered us if we had won by three or four.’ McCann was also delighted by the response of Marcus Haber up front after the striker was left out of the match-day squad altogether for the weekend home defeat to Ross County. ‘I don’t mind telling people I have had my run-ins with Marcus because I know what he can give us. And when he doesn’t give us it, I get so frustrated,’ he said. ‘But when he plays like he did tonight he is a handful for any defence. I asked him to ram my words down my throat and show me he deserved to be in my starting line-up. I’m delighted for Marcus.’ Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon, meanwhile, was left lamenting his side’s lack of punch. He said: ‘I’m disappointed. We didn’t want to go out of the cup. ‘But we didn’t fire enough bullets at their goal and we shot ourselves in the foot for their winning goal.’