Dundee’s Greg Stewart hopes Saturday’s defeat at home to Hearts can prove to be the proverbial sore boot up the posterior that can spur his side to derby glory at Tannadice tomorrow night.
The Dark Blues were left reeling after taking an early lead with the Jambos storming back in the second-half to make it two wins out of two so far on their return to the Premiership.
Now, Stewart is looking to repay the club’s fans for that disappointment by helping Dundee win at the home of their local rivals for the first time since 2004.
He said: “We managed to get that first win over United in 11 years at home last season but we haven’t won at Tannadice for so long so hopefully we can learn from this and take it into Tuesday.
“This can be the kick up the backside we need and hopefully we can give the fans something back.
“They’re at home but I would say we’ve got an even chance.
“If we play as we did against Kilmarnock and the first half against Hearts then I’m confident the boys can take three points.”
One of the key players in that opening-day victory at Rugby Park, Rory Loy, missed the Hearts game because of injury but Dark Blues boss Paul Hartley has not ruled him out of the derby just yet.
The manager said: “Rory hurt his groin on Tuesday and we gave him until the last minute but it wasn’t worth the risk.
“We’re hopeful he’ll be OK for Tuesday.
“He was a miss, to be honest, because of the way him, Stewart and Kane Hemmings combined last week.”