Iain Davidson is expecting plenty of friendly fire texts from old pal Johnny Russell this week.
However, the Dundee midfielder is determined that the only things the Scotland Under-21 striker will be firing in Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated derby are blanks.
Davidson knows first-hand just how difficult a task that will be, having played with Russell when he was on loan at his former club Raith Rovers, and he believes it will only be a matter of time before the front man’s special talents his hat-trick against Stranraer at the weekend took his goals tally to 11 already this season earn him a move elsewhere.
He said: ”I know Johnny really well. He was brilliant for Rovers and I knew he was going to be another Goodie (David Goodwillie) when he went back to United.
”With the greatest of respect to United, I think it is now only a matter of time before he moves on to bigger and better things.
”I’m sure it will happen for him whether it is in January or the summer. United won’t appreciate me saying that but that’s the reality.
”He will move on, probably to England, and he will deserve it.
”He is a great, level-headed lad and I still keep in touch with him.
”I’ll be sending him a couple of texts this week with a bit of banter flying back and forth.
”As I said, he’s a good lad but hopefully we can keep him quiet on Sunday.”
That was something Dundee failed to do in the first SPL meeting between the two sides in August with Russell scoring two of his side’s three goals, including a screamer that must be a contender for goal of the season.
However, Davidson insists that this Sunday United will be facing a resurgent Dundee side that have now become battle-hardened to life in the Scottish top tier.
He said: ”The first derby probably came too soon for us because of our late arrival into the SPL and new faces arriving.
”This time it will be a bit different. We are more settled and the players are getting used to each other.
”Hopefully, we will give a better account of ourselves compared to the last time down there.
”I think it will be a much closer game. It will be difficult but we have to approach it with confidence and hopefully get a good result.”
That confidence was boosted by last Saturday’s comfortable 2-0 Scottish Cup win at Livingston in a tie Davidson admitted was a potential banana skin.
Having negotiated that hurdle, the Dundee players headed for Newcastle for a night out and they have returned in high spirits.
He said: ”It was a tricky game for us at Livingston. I know from my time at Raith Rovers in the First Division that they are a good side.
”As soon as the draw was made, we made sure we gave them the respect they deserved, which was why we did a good job and made it through.
”It was good to get back to winning ways after the St Mirren game two weeks ago, which was a setback.
”We had been going well but it wasn’t to be in Paisley. That is in the past but we have now bounced back with that win and can take a bit of confidence into the derby on Sunday.
”We had a good time with each other over the weekend in Newcastle for our Christmas night out.
”Team spirit is very good here and we had a great time away. We bumped into the Arbroath lads celebrating after their cup draw at Parkhead and Leighton McIntosh was also there with the Montrose boys.
”There were a few teams having their Christmas nights out in a city renowned for its party atmosphere.
”We have come back to put in the hard work before the derby game and are all fully focused on facing Dundee United.
”They are a difficult team who have done really well over the last few years and we are under no illusions that it will be a tough game but we feel we are maybe due something against them.”
United fans can buy a three-match ticket for this month’s home games against Inverness Caley Thistle, St Johnstone and St Mirren at a discounted rate. The prices are: top tier adult £45/concessions £25; bottom tier adult £40/concessions £20.