Dundee’s Greg Stewart wants to beat Dundee United in the derby but he doesn’t want them to be relegated.
Stewart, adopting a view perhaps at odds with many of the Dark Blues’ fans who will be cheering him on at Tannadice on Sunday, loves the all-city clashes so much that he wants them to continue next season and beyond.
That would mean the Tangerines would have to pull off a miraculous escape, sitting as they do in bottom spot in the Premiership a full eight points behind Kilmarnock.
Victory for the home team would give them renewed belief that they can still save themselves.
Stewart, of course, will be busting a gut to make sure the Dens side prevail.
Should that happen and the points head back over the road he would still wish his rivals well in the hope that they can somehow stay up.
“The derby matches are always good to play in,” he said.
“I actually don’t want to see them (United) go down because of that. I am sure the fans do but as a player you want to be playing in these kind of games.
“The atmosphere is always great. It is just one of those things and if it (relegation for United) happens it happens but as a player I want big games and derbies are big games.
“The Dundee one has been the top-flight derby for the last couple of years. They have been great to watch and a few folk have said that to me. Mind you, I would happily take a scrappy 1-0, 90th-minute winner game this time.
“Both of us are fighting for something. United are obviously fighting for survival and we are battling to get into the top six.
“So it’s a big game for the two clubs “Both teams will go flat out to try to win it and there should be loads of chances. That means it could be a good game for the neutrals.”
Stewart was suspended for the last derby when the Dark Blues won 2-1 at Dens on January 2, with their goals coming from Kane Hemmings and Nick Ross.
That hurt him initially but he still managed to enjoy the aftermatch party.
“It was disappointing to miss out on the last derby because these are games you want to play in,” he added.
“But the boys didn’t need me that day!
“I was gutted not to play but it was nice in the end because we won the game. I still joined in the celebrations afterwards absolutely. I have managed to chip in with a few goals over the last year and a bit and I would be delighted if I could get another one this weekend.
“In the last derby at Tannadice I managed to get us back into the game with a few minutes to go then big Jim (James McPake) got us a draw with the last kick of the ball. It was a great feeling when that equaliser went in.”
Stewart, along with Hemmings and Gary Harkins, will pose a formidable attacking threat something that could tip the game in their favour.
Asked if they had the edge over United going forward, he said: “Stats-wise I would say yes. We have scored goals and created chances. However, I think United are in a false position.
“I think they are a better team than they have shown this season. Maybe they have been unlucky at times but I just have always thought they are a better side than their league position would suggest.
“It is going to be a tough match.”