Dundee have nothing to fear against Celtic - Paul Hartley

Dundee manager Paul Hartley maintains his players have no reason to fear champions Celtic after watching them rip Ross County apart 5-2 on Saturday.

Dundee manager Paul Hartley (right) celebrates with Cameron Kerr after the win over Ross County. Picture: SNS

The Dark Blues moved back into the Premiership’s top six on goal difference by hitting five past Jim McIntyre’s men to provide the ideal boost going into tomorrow night’s rearranged clash with Ronny Deila’s table-toppers on Tayside.

A double by Greg Stewart, pictured, allied to further goals by Kane Hemmings, Rory Loy and substitute Craig Wighton blew away League Cup winners County, who hit the target through skipper Andrew Davies and Alex Schalk.

It promises to be a decisive week for Dundee, who face Celtic before taking on Hamilton away in the hope of securing successive top-six finishes after displacing County in the top half.

Hartley has told his side they have no need to hold any apprehension going into the Celtic match having shown their capabilities with this resounding victory.

Hartley said: “It’s one we’re looking forward to. We know it’s a big game and what we’ve done with this win is given ourselves a chance of making the top six.

“This should give us some momentum. County are a good side and Celtic will obviously be a different kind of game. As ever, we will look to attack. We won’t be sitting back as it’s not our style. We’ll have a go against Celtic.”

County dropped out of the top six for the first time. “It’s not ideal,” said McIntyre. “It’s no longer in our own hands as it has been all season.”