DUNDEE manager Paul Hartley wants his side to finish 2016 with a flourish and cut the gap on Tayside rivals St Johnstone by claiming a derby win today.
A 2-0 defeat by Partick Thistle on Wednesday night was Dundee’s fourth successive away defeat in the Ladbrokes Premiership, leaving them in ninth place and just three points above bottom side Inverness. St Johnstone – who secured a draw at home to Rangers that night – are nine points ahead in the league table.
However, Dundee have won three of their last four home matches and Hartley wants to maintain that form and sign off with a win in their last fixture before the winter break.
The Dundee boss said: “We know we are in for a difficult game but our home form has been good of late.
“We have taken 10 points from 12 at home so we go into it with a lot of confidence. We are nine behind St Johnstone; if we win we go six behind. That is the incentive for us.” St Johnstone welcome midfielder Murray Davidson back into the squad following a suspension, while defender Brian Easton has recovered from the cramp suffered late on against Rangers. The Perth side are also boosted by their result against second-placed Rangers.
Midfielder David Wotherspoon said: “On Wednesday night we showed we can battle with the teams above us. We just need to keep that consistency. A win this weekend will set us up for a good break.”
Meanwhile, former Dundee defender Declan Gallagher is set to sign for Livingston next Thursday – just 24 hours after he is released from prison. The 25-year-old was given a three-year sentence for a serious assault in 2013 which left a man with a fractured skull and will be made to wear an electronic tag for the first two months of his time in League One.
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