Dundee 2
Celtic 0
League (Premier Division)

Manager's Programme Notes

I'm starting today's column with an apology - I don't want to even discuss the two Cup games we played this week, at Muirton on Tuesday and the replay here the following night.

I would however remark on the great support that was in evidence this week and I'm sure all these fans will be pleased that we are at least in the next round of the Scottish Cup...with a trip to Ibrox next Saturday to look forward to.

More of the same kind of backing from our supporters would be very welcome on that occasion and I'm sure you won't let us down on that score.

The match here on Wednesday was of course our third in only four days but I'm not at all concerned about the possible effects some people might think that schedule will have on the fitness of the players and their readiness to cope with today's game.

A visit from Celtic is always a game that the players look forward to and the demands of the last week will be forgotten as the lads prepare to go about their business.

By tradition, Celtic are the kind of team who are always looking to beat their opponents and they need the points to make sure that their challenge for the Premier League title is sustained.

The fact that they'll be here to win the game gives us a better chance to have a go at them and therefore, with both teams seeking to be positive over the 90 minutes, the fans should get good value for money.

The game against Celtic at Dens earlier in the season was a bit of a cracker and although we lost 3-2 after being two goals down, it really could have gone either way.

Celtic's Championship ambition takes care of their motivation but we, too, have every incentive to go for both points.

Of course we need to get further clear of the bottom clubs but we've also managed - the Cup games excepted - to get a bit of rhythm going since we played Morton in December and it's important that we keep going.

Certainly, the players gave a very good account of them selves at Tynecastle on Sunday and showed that the enforced lay-off hasn't done them much harm.

In fact, some of the newcomers to this club who, this time last year were playing part-time football, have shown that they have clearly benefitted from the rest.

The Tynecastle match was great value for the fans and it was good to get back into action with an away point.

The lads played good football and their fitness and fighting qualities were very much put to the test when Hearts took the lead twice.

But the players came through all right and did more than enough to earn a point which means that we've now lost only one of our last six League games against Dumbarton on New Year's Day.

Finally, I would like to once again pay tribute to the excellent away support we had at Tynecastle and Muirton this week.

I've said before how much this means to the players and certainly we can have no complaints whatsoever about the backing we're getting.