TONY DOCHERTY has dismissed any talk that his Dundee side are in a relegation fight.
The Dark Blues currently sit 11th in the Premiership, just three points above bottom side St Johnstone.
But the Dens boss insists the time to look at the league table is at the end of the season because there are still 27 points to play for, starting with Sunday's derby trip to Tannadice.
When asked if his side are in a relegation battle, Docherty said: "I wouldn't say that. I'd say there’s nine games to go and 27 points to play for. League positions are only important at the end of the season.
"So what happens between now and the end is determined by us, how we perform and how we play.
"Realistically, our top-six aspirations have gone but when you get into that split it's dog eat dog. Anybody can be involved. So any of the bottom six can be involved in that.
"I just need to make sure we're equipped and I think we'll be more equipped when we get the experienced players returning.
"We're missing Clark Robertson, Jordan McGhee and Antonio Portales. Joe Shaughnessy has already come back so we'll be better equipped when these players come in."
Dundee won the last derby when they knocked Dundee United out the Scottish Cup. There might only be three points at stake on Sunday but Docherty is well aware victory brings much more than that.
The Dundee boss added: "You know this game is huge. It's brilliant for the city. It's almost like a double win when you win this one.
"We got the benefits from it the last time we played them at home in the Cup and managed to win that game, broke a record, all that kind of stuff.
"You know there's a huge knock-on from that. So we'll be looking to do the same, to make sure that's the case and it really can ignite things or act as a catalyst to us really finishing the season strong."
Dundee haven't won in their last five games but their manager knows Sunday could turn their stuttering form around.
He said: "I see it as a real chance to do that and I think the player...
The Dark Blues currently sit 11th in the Premiership, just three points above bottom side St Johnstone.
But the Dens boss insists the time to look at the league table is at the end of the season because there are still 27 points to play for, starting with Sunday's derby trip to Tannadice.
When asked if his side are in a relegation battle, Docherty said: "I wouldn't say that. I'd say there’s nine games to go and 27 points to play for. League positions are only important at the end of the season.
"So what happens between now and the end is determined by us, how we perform and how we play.
"Realistically, our top-six aspirations have gone but when you get into that split it's dog eat dog. Anybody can be involved. So any of the bottom six can be involved in that.
"I just need to make sure we're equipped and I think we'll be more equipped when we get the experienced players returning.
"We're missing Clark Robertson, Jordan McGhee and Antonio Portales. Joe Shaughnessy has already come back so we'll be better equipped when these players come in."
Dundee won the last derby when they knocked Dundee United out the Scottish Cup. There might only be three points at stake on Sunday but Docherty is well aware victory brings much more than that.
The Dundee boss added: "You know this game is huge. It's brilliant for the city. It's almost like a double win when you win this one.
"We got the benefits from it the last time we played them at home in the Cup and managed to win that game, broke a record, all that kind of stuff.
"You know there's a huge knock-on from that. So we'll be looking to do the same, to make sure that's the case and it really can ignite things or act as a catalyst to us really finishing the season strong."
Dundee haven't won in their last five games but their manager knows Sunday could turn their stuttering form around.
He said: "I see it as a real chance to do that and I think the player...
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Daily Record (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 14, 2025