Chisholm not fazed by facing Queens

GORDON Chisholm insists having his first game in charge of Dundee against old club Queen of the South won't be a problem but knows his former players will be desperate to get the better of him.

The popular 49-year-old swapped Palmerston for Dens Park along with assistant Billy Dodds on Sunday after Dundee sacked Jocky Scott in the wake of their 3-0 home defeat to Airdrie United – Dundee's title bid has hit the buffers in recent weeks with their gap at the top being narrowed to just three points.

Chisholm has been charged with hauling Dundee over the line to promotion but faces a tricky start against the team he built and even took to the Scottish Cup final and into Europe two years ago.

"I'm a professional and it's all about getting on with the job," he said. "I had great times there but now I'm only focused on one thing and that's getting three points for Dundee.

"The fact it's Queen of the South won't affect me or Doddsy one bit.

I know the players well, they are a great bunch of lads and they will want to show that we were wrong to leave."

Chisholm gathered the Dundee players together before training but did not indulge in any grandiose pep talks as he is confident the road to the SPL is better negotiated by actions rather than words.

"I had a quick word with the lads this morning then we got out there for a training session," said Chisholm "It was good, everyone worked hard and it's 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."

Teams should fear coming here but I think recently it has worked the opposite way. Teams have enjoyed coming to Dens because they know they'll be able to get the fans nervous and that will transmit itself onto the park."

Midfielder Brian Kerr was sad to see Scott lose his job but insists life must go on – starting with a win tonight.

"We can't afford to dwell too much on what's happened over the last few days," said Kerr."

It's a new era for the club, we've got a new manager and a new coach so it's up to us to impress."

Gary MacKenzie is out after suffering concussion against Airdrie but Eric Paton and Leigh Griffiths are back from bans.

Queen of the South have a new manager of their own as Chisholm's assistant at Palmerston Park, Kenny Brannigan, was promoted – a move Brannigan himself was not expecting.

"I must admit it came as a bit of a surprise," Brannigan told the club's official website.

"But it's a new challenge and I'm looking forward to it.

"With Dundee the opposition, the players will be self-motivated and well up for it so I'm looking for a positive response."