New Dundee boss Gordon Chisholm says the importance of the game will overshadow any personal issues when he welcomes former club Queen of the South to Dens Park tonight.
It will be an odd experience for Chisholm, having taken charge of the Doonhamers as recently as Saturday.
He admitted, given the choice, he would have preferred to kick off his time with the Dark Blues against different opposition.
However, such is the significance of the match to Dundee’s championship hopes, he will push all that aside and focus on trying to get a vital victory.
“I am a professional and it is all about getting on with the job,” said Chisholm.
“I had great times there but now I am only focused on one thing — getting three points for Dundee.
“The fact that it is Queen of the South won’t affect me one bit.
“Obviously, I am expecting them to come here and battle.
“I know the players well. They are a great bunch of lads and they will want to show that Billy Dodds and I were wrong to leave Palmerston.
“They won’t be sentimental but rather will be desperate to put one over us.
“It will be an occasion, with a good crowd inside this big stadium.
“So Queens will thrive on that and it is up to our boys to be bigger and better than them.”
Chisholm wants his players to get some early momentum and give the fans something to shout about.
“I had a quick word with the lads this morning then we got out there for a training session,” he added.
“It was good, everyone worked hard and it is just a case of them getting to know us and vice versa now.
“We need to get confidence back into them. The way to do that is by keeping things simple and having them work hard.
“Having a game so soon after our appointment is a help because what I am looking for is them starting at a high tempo.
“It might not be silky football to start with but hopefully we will add that when the game slows down.”
Chisholm added, “The tempo is the key thing for us. Teams should fear coming here but I think recently it has worked the opposite way.
“Teams have enjoyed coming here because they know they will be able to get the fans nervous and that will transmit itself on to the park.
“Now that I am the manager it is up to me to create a situation where the opposition dread coming to Dundee.
“The only way for the fans to get behind the team is if they see the players giving everything. That’s what I want.”
Midfielder Brian Kerr insisted the players will lift themselves for the game after a difficult few days.
“We can’t afford to dwell too much on what has happened over the last few days,” he said.
“We need to get the heads up again and get on with the job.
“It is a new era for the club. We have a new manager and a new coach so it is up to us to impress them.
“I have heard lots of good things about Gordon Chisholm and Billy Dodds so the lads are looking forward to working with them.
“This is a massive game because we don’t want to give those below us any more incentive.
“We are in the driving seat and there are nine cup finals from here on in.”
Meanwhile, Queens goalkeeper David Hutton sent Chisholm a text wishing him all the best.
He also told Chisholm he hopes any good fortune doesn’t start until after tonight.
The Dumfries men are also starting afresh, with Chisholm’s former number two Kenny Brannigan taking over the reins until the end of the season.
Hutton said, “The gaffer was brilliant for us but we just need to get on with it.
“Dundee will get a great lift from him going there but we will be doing all we can to try and beat them, regardless of what has happened.
“He is a great manager, very good at man management and I have no doubts he will be successful with Dundee.
“The whole thing came out of the blue and it is going to be strange playing Dundee because I have obviously worked with Gordon for a few years now,” he continued.
“I sent him a text on Sunday night saying, ‘All the best gaffer, I hope everything works out … after Tuesday!’
“Kenny is looking after the team until the end of the season and we all like him, he is a good guy and we all hope he does well.”
Defenders David Lilley and Jordan McMillan will miss out through injury, with striker Sean O’Connor continuing his comeback at the club by being included as a trialist. Robert Harris and Stephen McKenna are available after suspension.
Dundee will be without central defender Gary MacKenzie, who suffered concussion during Saturday’s defeat at Airdrie, but captain Eric Paton and striker Leigh Griffiths are both available after suspension.
Tonight’s match is being televised by BBC ALBA.