Dundee boss Paul Hartley has tipped prolific striker David Clarkson to handle the added pressure on his shoulders as he seeks to equal an incredible club record this weekend.
While three points from their home fixture against Inverness will be the main focus for the Dark Blues, there will be an additional spotlight on Dundee’s top scorer on Saturday as Clarkson aims to score for the ninth game in succession.
Nine goals in nine games would see the forward match the benchmark set way back by Johnny Bell in 1920 and would undoubtedly etch his name in the history books at Dens Park.
But while some goal scorers might start to feel the weight of history bearing down on them, Hartley reckons his star man will shrug off the extra attention and focus on what he has been doing best of late.
“It would be great if he broke a record that has stood since 1920-something,” the Dundee boss admitted.
“But if he doesn’t do it, then we still know how good he’s been so far.
“David is the type of boy who just gets on with his football.
“He’s great in the dressing room and has great experience about him.Johnny Bell: The Dundee history maker Clarkson is trying to emulate“He says there’s no secret to what he’s done so far – he’s working hard and finding himself in the right place at the right time just now.
“He’s scored different types of goal and is in a good run of form at the moment, so I’m really pleased for him.
“He didn’t have a club for the best part of four months but I’ve known him for a few years and we just had to get him in and get him fit.
“So he’s enjoying his football and at 29, he should be enjoying it.”
Clarkson’s goal against Celtic last month saw him became the first player in Dundee’s history to score in each of his first seven matches – breaking a club record set by Davie McLean 92 years ago.
In doing so, he also equalled Alan Gilzean’s post-war record of scoring in consecutive games and sat two behind Bell’s all-time record of nine.
But his late winner in the Scottish Cup against Aberdeen on Saturday took him to within one of Bell’s haul, and Hartley has confidence in the striker’s ability to continue in his rich vein of form when Inverness come calling on Saturday.
The Dundee boss has previously insisted that he did not view a move for Clarkson as a risk despite some disappointing spells down south after the player left Motherwell, and is delighted Dundee were able to sign him ahead of clubs like St Johnstone and Kilmarnock both of whom decided against offering the former Scotland forward a contract in pre-season.
“He’d been training with Motherwell, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone but finances dictate sometimes,” Hartley continued.
“We managed to push the boat out a little bit to get him in.
“Our budget was spent so I am grateful that the board brought him in and I’m grateful to them for doing that.
“The advantage I had was that I’d played with him at Bristol City so I knew his qualities.
“He didn’t always play as a main number nine – he played wide left at times – but I always thought his best position was through the middle.
“I know how hard he works and he’s a terrific boy also.
“Everything he’s touched so far has seemed to turn into goals and hopefully that continues.”