The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Donnelly enjoys win at Hampden
Docherty continued: “The Kilmarnock game, prior to Aberdeen, was an example of that. It is one of those ones you would put in that category of two points lost. We are trying to recover those points.”
Late drama has been a theme in both meetings between the sides this term.
First that Kucheriavyi double and then Jordan McGhee’s 90th-minute winner at Dens Park in February.
That was after a VAR intervention saw Dundee awarded a penalty as Luke McCowan equalised and before a sickening head injury saw Michael Mellon taken to hospital following a clash with Liam Gordon.
St Johnstone boss Craig Levein wants a VAR-free encounter this time. Docherty, meanwhile, expects a calmer affair.
“It was a bit manic last time, so it’ll probably be a bit quieter,” he added.
“It’s a big game for both clubs, we are eight points clear of them.
“Our biggest concern as always is to make sure we are closer to retaining our Premiership status.
“A win would be a huge step towards that. St Johnstone are a good side. They lost to Celtic but the couple of games before that they picked up good results.
“They’ve done well and it will be a tough game. Like the last one, I expect this to be highly competitive.”
Docherty has called on travelling Dees to be the team’s “12th man” at McDiarmid Park.
And the Dens boss is determined to repay those away fans who left so disappointed back in September.
“That is what I was most disappointed about last time,” he added.
“Big (Ricki) Lamie scored the second goal and the place was bouncing.
“I would like to repay them. Hopefully, they will come down in their numbers again and we can reward them with not a point but hopefully three.”
Meanwhile, Dundee’s
Aaron Donnelly has wasted no time in reminding his Scottish team-mates of the result at Hampden on Tuesday night.
The on-loan defender was part of the Northern Ireland squad that came away from the Glasgow friendly with a 1-0 success.
Conor Bradley’s first-half strike was enough to earn Michael O’Neill’s side the win with Donnelly watching on from the bench.
Though he didn’t make his senior debut in friendlies against Romania and the Scots, the experience of a first senior call-up is a welcome boost for the youngster.
Since returning from an operation to sort a heart issue in February, the 20-year-old has been a regular in Docherty’s backline – and the Dens boss insists the call-up was fully deserved.
“We were delighted to see him get a call-up to the full Northern Ireland squad,” Docherty said.
“We’ve seen how good a young player Aaron is and Michael O’Neill called him up from Tommy Wright’s U-21 squad.
“So he was with them for the full week, unfortunately he didn’t play in any of the games. But just the experience of being away
and they had such a good result against us.
“He’s come back buoyant from that and he’s already been slagging off the Scottish boys!
“It’s great for him to get that recognition to get called up to the full squad. There is quite a vibrant group coming through there.
“He’s part of that. From a club’s point of view we’re really proud of playing a part in him developing from the U-21 squad into the full one.
“He’ll keep going that way because he’s a top young player with a brilliant attitude.”