Mcdonald hopes United can capitalise on absence of suspended Dens skipper O’dea

He had only been in the door a matter of hours but it didn’t take long for Neil Mccann to outline one of his main aims to the Dundee players: a “massive” cup run.

Midfielder Paul Mcgowan has taken the message on board and admits they can’t afford to slip up for their manager in tonight’s Betfred Cup derby against Dundee United at Dens Park.

A win over their city rivals would take them into the quarter-finals and Mcgowan, who helped St Mirren win the League Cup with a 3-2 victory over Hearts in the final at Hampden in 2013, is intent on delivering for his boss and believes it’s high time Dundee lifted silverware.

“On the first day he [Mccann, pictured] came in, he had his meeting with us,” Mcgowan said. “The first thing he said to us is that he wanted to go on a cup run.

“He made it clear he wanted to improve our position in the league and go on a massive run in the cup.

“That was his aim from day one. It’s been long overdue. This club fully deserves to go on one. To get to a quarterfinal is a huge incentive.

“We didn’t get through the group stages in this competition last year, and then we lost to St Mirren in the Scottish Cup. For a club like this – and the players we have – it’s not good enough.

“It’s a massive chance for us. The players knows that. Luckily, the new players have experienced the derby before after coming in over the summer so that should stand them in good stead.

“With these kind of games – and I’ve played in a few now – it’s who wants it more on the day that will triumph.”

Dundee are relishing another crack at their rivals after United won the Group C game at Dens on a penalty shootout last month. And Mcgowan, 29, claims the players been counting down the days since the draw paired the two old foes together once again.

Mcgowan said: “When the draw was made, I was in the shower and the manager came in and told us the news.

“We thought it was a windup but obviously we’re delighted. They’ve sold out their own end so the atmosphere will be great and we can’t wait for it. “I know the feeling of getting to the cup final and winning it. For this club, it would be a great honour. And for some players who’ve never been there, it would be great for them as well as we’re a young team. “It’s all there to play for. But if we’re not all at it – and some of us are playing to our potential and others aren’t – then we’ll get turned over.

“It’s a derby game, huge for the whole club. The players miss these games. It’s great for the city. Who wouldn’t want to be involved in them? This is a one-off game. You won’t get another chance if you lose this game in the cup, so we have to give it everything.”

Captain Darren O’dea is suspended tonight but Dundee are hopeful that Sofien Moussa and centre-back Kerr Waddell will overcome the injuries that forced them off against Ross County on Saturday. Scott Mcdonald is hoping Dundee United can capitalise on the absence of Dundee captain Darren O’dea when the sides meet in the last 16 of the Betfred Cup at Dens Park this evening.

The former Australian international joined Ray Mckinnon’s side in the summer and is in line to start tonight after coming off the bench when the derby rivals met in the group stage of the competition last month.

Mcdonald was a team-mate of O’dea’s at Celtic and knows Dundee will miss the defender but he still rates the home side as favourites.

“It’s at their ground so you would have to say they’re still favourites,” Mcdonald said. “They’ve got a good accomplished squad, albeit they had a disappointing result at the weekend against Ross County in the league [losing 2-1]. They will want to put that right so it will be a tough game.

“I know Darren O’dea, my friend, is out suspended so that will be a big loss for them. So maybe we can capitalise on that. Who knows what their back-four is going to be like?”

The Betfred Cup group game between the sides ended 1-1 at Dens Park but United went on to win on penalties and top Group C.

“It was a real ding-dong game the first time round. Dundee started really well and came out of the blocks flying,” Mcdonald said.

“Then we came into the game and nicked the goal before half-time which was great to put us in the ascendancy. Then they came out again for a wee bit before we hit back.”

Mcdonald has experience of Old Firm games and once scored a winner for Celtic at Ibrox but he was impressed by the passion on show at Dens Park.

“It really opened my eyes, the first game,” he said. “You can watch from afar but until you’re involved in it and realise how big a city this is and how passionate it is, it’s just fantastic to be part of.

“It’s two big teams. No matter if it was just penalties you won on, the bragging rights are a massive thing when you go home.”