Tony Docherty eyes Dundee vengeance against St Johnstone in Perth but there's bigger priority in sight
Harsh memories from their last trip to Perth are driving Dundee on and Docherty admits it's a big motivator.
Tony Docherty has admitted the pain of their last visit to Perth will drive Dundee on in their push for the top six.
The Dark Blues had to frustratingly settle for a point at McDiarmid Park back in September after blowing a two goal lead. Docherty haș claimed those dropped points still wrangle with them and that will be a big motivation when they head back to the St Johnstone tomorrow. The Dundee boss stated: “It probably does. It typifies how much the team has developed and learned. We have squandered points and there is no better example than that one where we were so dominant.
“We were winning the game quite comfortably but at 2-0 we threw away two points. We are trying to regain those points we threw away. Even in the recent Aberdeen game, we showed that sometimes one goal is enough. That is something the team has learned.
“We have had a couple of those situations where we have been in winning positions and not seen it out. The Kilmarnock game, prior to Aberdeen, was an example of that. It is one of those ones you would put in that category of two points lost. We are trying to recover those points.”
Dundee are three points behind sixth-placed Hibs but Docherty has insisted that top-flight survival remains the first objective. “It would be a huge step towards us retaining our status,” the Dark Blues boss acknowledged. “It is such a big game but St Johnstone will be saying that as well.
“I will always say my main priority and brief was the team regained their status. We are in that position where we are eight ahead of St Johnstone and nine ahead of Ross County. We are two points behind Hibs and six behind St Mirren. It depends what way you look at it. I know the way I am looking at it.
“I want to make sure that this club regains its Premiership status. That is our prime objective. If I manage to achieve that then I will look to the next objective. I won’t get drawn into doing anything on that unless we get into that position.”
Dundee are fresh for beating Saints at home last time out in a match that was overshadowed by Michael Mellon’s head injury. Docherty claimed: “It was a bit manic last time so it’ll probably be a bit quieter this time.
“It’s a big game for both clubs, we are eight points clear of them. Our biggest concern as always is to make sure we are closer to retaining our status. St Johnstone are a good side. They lost to Celtic but a couple of games before that, they picked up good results.
“They’ve done well and it will be a tough game. Like the last one I expect this to be highly competitive.”