Dundee goalkeeper Scott Bain has told Dundee United they only have themselves to blame if their relegation fate is sealed on Monday night.
The Dark Blues can potentially push their city rivals through the trapdoor when the teams clash in next week’s derby at Dens Park.
Defeat to Paul Hartley’s men combined with a win for Kilmarnock at Hamilton on Saturday would spell the end of the Tannadice side’s 20-year run in top flight.
That has only served to stoke the fires ahead of the Tayside scrap, with the home fans eager to get one over on their rivals after a decade in their shadow.
Tangerines fans will be dreading the worst possible outcome, but Bain insists United have no reason to feel bitter towards their neighbours.
He said: “I’m looking forward to it. To us it is another game. I know it’s a derby and I know there are other circumstances involved, but to us it’s another step towards finishing as high up the league as possible.
“We’ve not really spoken about what could happen to United to be honest. We can put them down, but it’s 34 games that has got them in this situation, not us.
“Their club doesn’t really come into our players’ minds. It’s not our fault they are in this situation, so we can’t do much about it.
“All we can do is the best for this club and beating them is what’s best, especially after the last game at Tannadice where we were 2-0 up.
“It will be difficult for them, but it will be difficult for us next year as we won’t have a derby to play. They money and revenue you get from these games will be a big loss.
“But we have to see the bigger picture with Rangers and potentially Hibs coming up and the best thing for Dundee is to be in the top flight. The fact we’re going to be here next season is the main thing for us.”
Mixu Paatelainen’s future as United boss remains decidedly uncertain after failing to turn around his side’s wretched season.
Dens boss Hartley has sympathy for his opposite number, but believes the Finn would have been well aware of the risks involved with the Tannadice job.
He said: “You feel for any manager that is under pressure and coming in for the stick that he’s faced. It’s not nice.
“But we’re all under pressure to perform and win games. We’ve seen other managers throughout the season have a bad spell and then find themselves under pressure straight away.
“But that’s why we are in the job. If you don’t want to be a football manager don’t come into this business. We know the pressure that comes with losing games.
“It’s never straight forward but that’s why we love the job. You have to handle the pressure and come out the other side better.”
