First Team
Derby day sees both clubs needing points
9th March 2018
Saints make the short trip to Dens Park tomorrow as they take on Dundee in a huge Premiership clash for both teams.
Only two points separate us from our Tayside rivals as Dundee currently lie in 9th and Saints in 8th. A win this weekend, for either side, would be a huge step towards pulling away from the relegation play-off position. In Saints case, a strong run of victories is needed in the weeks to come if the last embers of hope with regards to a top six finish are to remain alive.
Various postponements since the turn of the year have resulted in Saints having to play many games in a short space of time and Tommy Wright will be looking to pick his players up following their latest outing which ended up in a disappointing defeat to Kilmarnock on Wednesday evening.
Following the Kilmarnock defeat, Tommy gave his thoughts on the upcoming Dundee clash:
“It’s a massive game.” he said.
“We’ve not picked up any additional injuries and Ando (Steven Anderson) will be available as well as Macca [Steven McLean]. Dens Park is a venue which is good to play in and although recent results there have been disappointing we know that we are more than capable of winning there.
“I know it’s a game the fans enjoy and will be looking for success from.”
Despite his red card in the Killie fixture, Jason Kerr will be available for selection for the game subsequent to Saints’ appeal to the SFA but Stefan Scougall, Brian Easton, Callum Hendry and Richard Foster remain long-term injuries and on those players the manager says “They’re all making decent progress but there is no prospect of immediate returns for any of them and I’m not looking to put time lines on them.”
Saints will be desperate to get the better of their local counterparts after suffering defeat to Dundee in both of their previous meetings this campaign. Dundee ran out 3-2 Victor’s during a controversial tie in September before securing a 2-0 at McDiarmid Park in late December.
The referee for this weekend’s crunch match will be will be Craig Thomson with kick off scheduled for 3pm.
Match preview by Gary Petersen
It's cash admission at the turnstiles tomorrow. Adults- £24, over 65s/students in FTE - £16, Under 18s £10.
All fans will be given a ticket on entry but allocated seating is NOT in force so you may sit anywhere.
Please note that turnstile operators will not accept paper £5 or £10 notes which have now ceased to become legal tender. Only the new 'plastic' £5 and £10 notes will be accepted.