Who will fill Colin Nish”s boots has been the question troubling Dundee fans ever since the key striker was sent off last week against St Mirren.
On the evidence of Saturday”s William Hill Scottish Cup Fourth Round triumph over Livingston, it would seem the answer is John Baird.
The former Raith front man has endured a rollercoaster time at Dens since he signed in the summer and before the game at Almondvale he had not featured in Barry Smith”s starting line-up since the 3-1 loss at home to St Johnstone at the end of September.
However, with Nish now suspended, he was drafted in against Livi and seized his chance with both hands, being instrumental in both Dundee goals and producing an overall man-of-the-match performance.
It was a display that earned Baird lavish praise from team-mate Ryan Conroy. He said: “I thought John was brilliant and that”s what he”s capable of.
“He”s like that every day in training. He”s a great guy to play with and I thought he was superb. He does a lot of work and he gives you an option every time you get the ball.
“He works hard up front and he”s a great player to have in the team. He doesn”t give the opposition back four a minute”s peace and he”s always an option for you.
“We”ve got a big squad here now and everyone is fighting for places, which is the best way, but no one is ever down in the dressing-room. We”re all behind each other.
“If you”re not playing, you”re obviously going to be gutted but John”s come in and answered it the right way today.”
It was obvious from the start on Saturday that Baird and the rest of his team-mates were keen to stamp their authority on their Division One opponents.
The 27-year-old striker had a pop at goal as early as the seventh minute, when he manufactured space for himself at the edge of the Livi box but he scooped the shot wide.
Two minutes later, Baird was the recipient of a Gary Irvine throw-in and he looked up before playing a ball into the feet of strike partner Steven Milne, who all too easily held off a Livi defender before slotting into the back of Andy McNeil”s net.
Shortly after, it looked like Dundee would increase their lead when Baird played an excellent ball into the path of the onrushing Jim McAlister, who in turn hit a great pass to Conroy but the winger”s effort flew just past the post.
The Dundee fans ““ who included Hibs star Leigh Griffiths among their number ““ were, though, celebrating in the 17th minute. Baird received the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the Livi box and there seemed little danger but home defender Spaniard Jesus Garcia Tena upended the Dundee man ““ an inexplicable act that is sure to earn him an inquisition at the hands of boss Gareth Evans.
Conroy stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick and calmly sent McNeil the wrong way to make it 2-0 to the Dark Blues. It was Conroy”s second penalty success in two games and he revealed that he had pulled rank on team-mate Kevin McBride, who also scored a successful spot-kick in the game against Hibs three weeks ago.
He said: “I don”t think Kevin is happy that I took him off the penalties but I put him in his place! He was wanting to take it but I said I”m back on them.”
Livi felt they should have had a penalty of their own when a net-bound Liam Fox shot appeared to strike the hand of Iain Davidson but referee Crawford Allan waved their appeals away, with Evans eventually taking his protests too far and earning himself a talking to by the whistler.
Having survived that scare, Dundee came mighty close to making it three with a flashing Milne header from a McAlister corner but Callum Booth cleared off the Livi line.
Milne suffered a dead leg in a challenge shortly afterwards and did not reappear after half-time, being replaced by the lively youngster Martin Boyle.
In truth, the second 45 was a non-event, as Dundee seemed content to sit on their lead while Livi continued to impress with their build-up play without possessing the crucial cutting edge.
They created a few chances but again it was Dundee who came closer to extending their lead when a Declan Gallagher shot from the edge of the Livi box was cleared off the line.
Substitute Daniel Mullen should have scored a late consolation goal for the home side but he fluffed his lines and headed over when he should have at least hit the target.
All in all, it was a thoroughly professional performance by the Dark Blues and they are now expectantly awaiting to discover who their next cup opponents will be when the fifth round draw is made at lunchtime today.
Conroy added: “The job at the start of the day was to get into the next round and that”s what we”ve done.
“We could have played a bit better but in a cup game the most important thing is to get into the next round and we”ve done that.
“We started the game well we pressed them up the pitch and didn”t let them play because that”s what they like to do.
“You could see that in the rest of the game as they like to pass the ball about.
“But we pressed them early, got our two goals and the game was over then so we”re happy enough.”
Livi boss Evans was less than gracious in defeat saying: “We lost two sloppy goals but for the next 75 minutes we looked like an SPL team passing the football and they looked like a side hanging on.”
However, Conroy batted down those claims and insisted that he hopes the victory can be the springboard to another run of success for his side.
He said: “They played well and credit to them but we know we can play a lot better.
“If their manager wants to say that then he can if he wants but we”re the ones into the next round of the cup.
“Last weekend against St Mirren was a bit of a hit as we”d been on a good run.
“But we know we”re capable of going on a run. All the boys are confident in each other”s ability and hopefully we can kick on as we”ll get the confidence boost of having another win under our belts.”
Of course, there is the small matter of the next eagerly-anticipated Dundee derby at Dens on Sunday and Conroy admitted the players cannot wait to take on their near neighbours.
He added: “It”s a big game next week and we just need to prepare properly. I”m sure the fans will be looking forward to it. It”s a sell out and we”re all looking forward to it in the dressing-room.”