Dundee hope to toughen up with arrival of overseas duo

Majid Haq: Skippers Clydesdale. Picture: Getty

Their elevation from the Strathmore and Perthshire Union included the chance not just to play in a higher league but also to test themselves against some of the country’s top players in the Scottish Cup. Having come a poor second to Renfrew in their opening Group G fixture last week, the Dalnacraig side face another step up this afternoon when they visit mighty Grange.

It is a classic David v Goliath encounter and, all the more so, since Dundee are still awaiting the arrival of their two overseas players – the first Bhutan international to play in Scotland and a 6ft 4in Australian who weighs in at 18 stones. It is that sort of muscle which the underdogs could badly do with if they are to make a game of it.

Alas, however, Ben Strachan will not step off the plane at Edinburgh until 7pm this evening.

“It’s a pity it wasn’t 7am,” said Graham McLaren, Dundee’s president. “The players have got to treat this as an opportunity to be savoured. It’s a great chance to learn from the experience and hopefully make a game of it.”

McLaren believes his side may be ready to challenge in the league by the time Strachan and the highly-rated Jigme Singye arrive. “Maybe going back into the national set-up has come a bit early for us but it’s not an opportunity we could turn down. The overseas guys will make a big difference and we may have unearthed a gem in Jigme Singye. He’s a 21 year-old leg-spinner and exciting batsman who’ll be the first internationalist to have played for our club.

“The Aussie is a fast opening bowler who also hits the ball a mile so the pair of them will add real value to the side.”

Grange, who opened with a six-wicket win at Greenock, are without injured Saltires bowler Gordon Goudie and hand a debut to Chris Sole. Greenock welcome Renfrew in the other group fixture.

Elsewhere, SMRH host Clydesdale in one of several east v west confrontations. The Inverleith side, newly promoted to the Eastern Premier, showed their credentials with an emphatic win over West Lothian but expect a tougher test against the Titwood side.

Clydesdale are in action for the first time after last week’s trip to East Kilbride was called-off. Saltires all-rounder Majid Haq skippers the side for the first time but is without international team-mate Safyaan Sharif who has a back injury.

West Lothian will attenmpt to put their first points on the Group A table at East Kilbride’s expense.

Holders Heriot’s staved off the threat of a shock at Falkland last week but travel to meet a Ferguslie side buoyed by an excellent win over Western Premier champions Dumfries. The match provides another chance for Scotland youth player Michael English to impress following his century a week ago.

Dumfries, meanwhile, will attempt to get back on the rails against Falkland.

Prestwick, dismissed for just 41 by West of Scotland, host Carlton in a testing clash, while West bid for a second home win against Corstorphine.

Aberdeenshire and Uddingston have home advantage in Group E against Glenrothes and Stenhousemuir.

Drumpellier will attempt to upset last season’s beaten finalists Watsonians while Freuchie host Weirs in Group C.

Ayr will emerge as Group D favourites if they can beat Penicuik and Poloc do them a favour against Stoneywood-Dyce.

Group B pacesetters Arbroath and Kelburne meet at Lochlands, while Forfarshire host Stirling.