Paul McGowan insists Dundee have now shaken off the rustiness they showed against Inverness on Saturday and are ready to sparkle once more when they face Hibs tonight.
The Dark Blues struggled to get going again after their three-week winter lay-off when they faced John Robertson’s Highland outfit in the Scottish Cup at Dens.
Neil McCann’s men ultimately secured a draw and a replay but McGowan is adamant the home fans will see the real Dundee once again as they return to league action for the first time since beating St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on December 30.
The midfielder said: “We need to be in Hibs’ faces on the night – that’s the key thing.
“We’ve worked on a game-plan. The manager has come up with one and if we go and execute that, we’ve got a massive chance of getting a positive result.
“The last game we had with Hibs at Dens we drew with them and then the game at Easter Road after that, I felt we were the better side.
“They will know they’re in for a game coming here so we’re really looking forward to it.
“The plus point is we’re over the break now.
“We need to be at it. And if we are we know we’re a match for anyone in this league.
“If we turn up and apply ourselves the way we were doing before the break, I’m sure we’ll give Hibs a right good game, and I’m always confident here at Dens.
“We were in a groove and a run of form before the break so it came at the wrong time for us.
“To try and get going again is difficult. We didn’t have the opportunity of a game within that three-week spell, plus other teams are still in their season.
“We weren’t quite at it and we lacked game-sharpness.
“But we’re a far better side than we showed against Inverness which we have to prove against Hibs.”
While Dundee are still in the Scottish Cup, Hibs exited the competition on Sunday losing out at the home of their Edinburgh rivals Hearts.
McGowan knows how much that defeat will have hurt Hibees boss Neil Lennon and he has warned his team-mates to expect a big backlash tonight.
The 30-year-old added: “We know Hibs are going to come here still smarting from Sunday’s loss to Hearts.
“I know Neil Lennon and the way he is.
“He’s been my manager at under-21 level for Celtic so I know full well what he’s like.
“He’ll never settle for anything less than 100 per cent.
“You can guarantee he’ll have his players fired up and that’s reflected with the way he is on the touchline.
“He’s just passionate, exactly the same as he was as a player.
“He’s so demanding but, at the same time, when you’re doing well, he praises you.
“It’s no coincidence that he’s turned Hibs round massively. It’s just his character.
“Our manager has also drummed it into us that any Neil Lennon team will be coming here to fight for every ball but they can also play as well.”
