Manager Barry Smith urges Dundee to cut out errors

Published on 22/09/2012 01:00

DUNDEE manager Barry Smith has told his team to cut out the mistakes when they head to Parkhead for today’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League match with champions Celtic.

The newly-promoted Dens Park club face Neil Lennon’s side in what promises to be their toughest test since returning to the top flight.

Smith watched his spirited side slip back to the foot of the SPL table last weekend after a late collapse saw them lose against league leaders Motherwell, having been in front for much of the game thanks to Colin Nish’s first-half opener. And Smith knows they cannot afford to be so slack when they go to tackle Celtic on their own turf.

He said: “It’s important we stop giving away goals. I keep saying it because it’s true. It cost us again against Motherwell when we had done so much right throughout the 90 minutes.

“Sometimes one slip or lapse in concentration can prove all the difference at this level and none more so than when you face a quality team like Celtic. So the boys know first and foremost they’ll need to be on their toes from the first whistle. If they can do that then we will give ourselves a chance of getting something from the game which is what it’s all about as far as we’re concerned.”

Smith has also urged his players to show they belong at this level by giving Celtic plenty to worry about. He said: “I know the guys here are good enough for this kind of game so it’s up to them to prove it. We won’t be going there to defend and see what happens.

“Instead we’ll go to Parkhead in a positive frame of mind and hopefully that will be reflected in what we do on the park. Nobody outwith our camp expects us to get anything but we hope that can work in our advantage.

“We have a group of very hard-working players who will give their all as usual come Saturday. I think the fans have appreciated what we’re trying to do so far this season so they need to stick by us. This is the kind of game the club has missed since we were out of the SPL for years and we have to try to make the most of it.”.