Dundee Utd V Dundee - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.McNamara ready for Dundee derby Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara believes Dundee will be gunning for them in Thursday's crunch derby at Tannadice.United are aiming to inflict a third straight defeat on local rivals Dundee after both sides suffered losses last weekend in the Scottish Premiership.McNamara's men went down 2-1 right at the end of their match with St Johnstone while Paul Hartley's Dark Blues endured a heavy 3-1 loss at home to St Mirren.And McNamara said: "Thursday is a different game altogether."Dundee had a bad result at home in their last game and they'll be looking as this derby as being a great game to come back into."They will be fired up for it come kick-off so we have to be ready for that obviously."It's been over 10 years since they last won a derby and they will be trying to get the fans back on side after the weekend."So we know what to expect from them."When we beat them 4-1 at Dens Park in the first derby of the season, there was a big reaction from them in the midweek League Cup game."They came out flying and we were fortunate with the way the game went."Derbies are totally differentI would expect this one to be a battle."It might be a bit of kick and rush at times and some percentage football."But hopefully it settles down and we can cause them problems by playing the way we know we can on our day."United are still hurt by the manner in which they were defeated late in the game at St Johnstone which McNamara hopes they can use as motivation.He said: "I think Dundee will be looking to bounce back on the back of what happened to them at the weekend."But we're in the same boat."We were very frustrated to lose away to St Johnstone because we should have seen things out towards the end."For me, we're at home now and want to start the New Year on a high."Our home form has been very good this season
We want to keep that going because we've only lost once at Tannadice."It's a great one for the fans if you can get a victory and that's what we're obviously aiming for."We've won two of the derbies already this year but the next one is always the most important."It's about what happens on Thursday and that's what we're preparing for, to try and get the three points in a big derby match."Meanwhile, United centre-back Callum Morris hopes to shake off an Achilles injury in tome to make the derby.Keith Watson and John Souttar are both trying to shake off knocks as well, but midfielder Paul Paton is serving the final game of his three-match suspension.Dundee midfielder Simon Ferry is set to miss the derby clash with Dundee United because of an ankle knock.Fellow midfielder Kevin McBride is also doubtful with a thigh injury but playmaker Paul McGowan could return from his recent knee injury
Peter MacDonald misses out with a knee injury.Dundee manager Hartley maintains his side will need no extra motivation going into their New Year's Day derby.The Dark Blues are relishing their televised meeting with McNamara's men as they attempt to improve on their recent form which has seen them fail to win during their last six Premiership outings.Dundee are aiming to bring back their winning ways of earlier in the season as they look to get 2015 off to a memorable start.And Hartley insists they will have all the incentive in the world as they gear up to face their city rivals.Hartley said: "We're all really looking forward to it
I don't think you should need motivated for a game like this
It's as simple as that as far as we're concerned."It's a derby game with a full house and it's on television which gives it added interest obviously
It's a game where you want to go and do well for yourself, the club and the players."We've had a bad month of December
But we are looking to do much better in the weeks ahead, starting with Dundee United."
Source : PA
Source: PA