Dundee 3
Heart of Midlothian 0
League (Premier Division)

Manager's Programme Notes

It's been a pleasure looking forward to this match as everyone knows there is a strong chance that the winner today will be competing in European football next season.

The race between ourselves, Hearts and St. Mirren could go all the way to the last kick of the season and we did our chances a big favour by getting the points against Dumbarton last Saturday.

Yes, it's good to be back in the hunt and there's no doubt that our hopes for the rest of the season will depend on what happens in today's game. That means there will be a bit of pressure on the players today but it will be a lot easier to handle than the pressure we experienced this time last year when we were fighting to maintain our Premier League status.

The ingredients are all there for a first class match this afternoon. Since I arrived at the this club I can't remember a Dundee - Hearts clash failing to entertain the supporters and I'm sure today's will be no exception.

Certainly, we can't complain about there being nothing at stake and I'm sure that will be reflected by the effort put into the match by both sides.

Our record against Hearts is good with two wins and a draw so far in the Premier League this term. The only blemish was Hearts' Skol Cup victory here in September but even though we lost that night we still played very well and it was a terrific match.

This of course is the second in our three successive home matches which will have a vital bearing on the final League positions.

Last week's game against Dumbarton was never the best of matches but lets face it - we haven't played a good game against Dumbartaon all season.

Saturday gave us our first victory against them and because of the importance of the match for both clubs, the result was always going to be the main thing.

That has set us up for the closing weeks of the campaign and it is in our own hands to keep the momentum going... and if a Europe prize awaits us come May then no-one will be more delighted than myself.

The opportunity to play in next season's UEFA Cup is presenting itself and we'll do everything we can to claim it. I'm sure Hearts and St. Mirren will say the same and I'm certain that whichever club qualifies will give a good account of themselves.

Players respond to the European arena and that's why we're all desperate to get there and show what we can do.