By Ian Roache

DUNDEE’S GLAMOUR game at Parkhead is a “pest” that is bothering them at the wrong time, according to manager Jocky Scott.

The Dark Blues’ players may be dreaming about facing SPL champions Celtic on Saturday in the Homecoming Scottish Cup fourth round, but for Scott the date with the Hoops is a hassle.

He would much rather be meeting Morton at Dens—the club’s next league fixture on January 17—this weekend than jousting with the Glasgow giants.

Scott’s reasoning is simple. He wants to maintain the momentum following the win over Dunfermline, with Dundee now having recorded three clean sheets in a row and moved up to fifth spot.

So he would prefer to be sampling the bread and butter of the league than the champagne and caviar of a cup tie at Celtic Park.

“Saturday’s game is just a pest, to be honest,” declared Scott.

“We are on a good run so I would rather have a league game to try and keep the momentum going.

“Going to Parkhead is a real inconvenience from my point of view as a manager. It has come totally at the wrong time for us.

“I would rather the players were focused on the league and getting more points to move up the table.

“I know it is good for the club money-wise so we will go there and enjoy the occasion. It is not a game we are going to get uptight about as there is no pressure on us at all.

“However, I am looking at this purely from a manager’s perspective and, while we will try our best to get a result, in the end the league is what is most important to us.”

Dundee’s defence will, of course, be severely tested by Celtic on Saturday but the performances of central pairing Jim Lauchlan and Craig McKeown against the Pars were encouraging.

Lauchlan, in particular, was outstanding under pressure late in the game, something noted by his gaffer.

“Big Lauchy is a great lad to have about the place and I thought he was immense on Saturday,” said Scott.

“I think he must have gone home with a sore head because he won so many headers.

“Jim has loads of experience and never shuts up on the park. He is always winding up his team-mates and getting the best out of the people around him.

“A few weeks back he chapped my door to ask why he wasn’t getting a game and I respect that.

“I want my players to be unhappy when they are not playing. The last thing I want is boys who enjoy being out of the team.

“I want them to be determined to take the opportunity when it’s given to them and that’s what Jim is doing.”

Scott revealed Rangers have given the Dark Blues permission to field on-loan midfielder Andrew Shinnie against the other side of the Old Firm.

“I spoke to Walter Smith and he said it is OK for Andrew to play against Celtic,” he said.

“That is great news for us and it will be great for the boy to experience that sort of atmosphere.

“He has been doing well for us and in the last couple of games has started to really show what he can do.”

Meanwhile, reserve keeper Ludovic Roy has asked to leave Dens in order to get regular games.

The Frenchman has fallen behind Robert Douglas in the pecking order but will only be allowed to depart if Scott finds a replacement.

“Ludo and I have had a chat and I understand his position but he will only be leaving if I can find someone else to bring in,” said Scott.

The Celtic-Dundee clash will be refereed by Calum Murray.