Dundee Utd 0
Dundee 1
League (Premier Division)

Manager's Programme Notes

Over 16,000 of you filled the terraces on Wednesday night creating the atmosphere to help us reach the quarter finals of the European Cup, and I doubt if there is a prouder manager in the whole of Scotland at the moment. Such was the quality of the players' performance even I treated myself to a wee smile. With around twenty minutes to go I turned to Wattie Smith in the dugout and told him I fancied our chances. As usual he hadn't heard me, for five minutes later he turned to me and said, "How many goats do they need to score before we lose?" Seriously though, the display against Standard rivalled even that of our memorable victory over Borussia. I hope the remainder of the players won't take offence if I single out one player — Ralph Milne. His form on Wednesday proved what I believe he is capable of, I only wish he too realised his potential. I think tactically we may be able to help him, but at the end of the day the heights he can achieve in the game rests in his own hands. If we had Ralph Milne, Eamonn Bannon and Paul Sturrock all on song at the same time, I think we would have to make all the matches at Tannadice allticket.

However, I really must temper my praise for the players in case any of them reading this faint. Ahead of us today is another important job as we face Dundee. On Wednesday afternoon, my son Gary asked, "If you can only beat one team. Standard or Dundee, which one would you choose?" We both agreed on Standard Liege. That, however, is not to underestimate the importance we place on today's match in making that midweek assessment. Retention of the League Championship is still our number one priority. We welcome Dundee for the first Tannadice derby of the season, and a repeat of Wednesday night's performance is essential if we are to collect both points this afternoon. An unfortunate printing error in this column in Wednesday night's programme distorted my statement regarding John Greig's departure from Ibrox and should have read. "Nobody faced the end with more dignity than John Greig."