Paul Hartley calls for fans to roar Dundee through

PAUL Hartley last night urged the Dundee fans to turn out in force and act as their extra man as they bid to oust Aberdeen in this weekend’s Scottish Cup clash.
Paul Hartley: Relishing Dons test. Picture: SNSPaul Hartley: Relishing Dons test. Picture: SNS
Paul Hartley: Relishing Dons test. Picture: SNS

The Dark Blues welcome the Reds who are expected to bring a bumper support to Tayside for the televised tie and Hartley wants his own supporters to play their part, too.

The Dens Park manager has been delighted with their home following so far this season and hopes they can roar his side on to victory in the tie of the round on Saturday.

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Hartley said: “It should be a great cup game. I think Aberdeen will bring over 4,000 down and I am sure there will be a big turn-out from our fans. It is live on the telly and it is a great chance for the players to go and show we are a good team.

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“We know it is expensive to get in and it is what it is. It is not up to the players to decide how much it is to get into a game of football. All we want to try to do is to get a good home backing which we have done this season.

“Our crowds have been terrific and I would urge them to back the team again on Saturday.”

Dundee lost out 3-2 to the Dons in a five-goal thriller at Dens not so long ago and Hartley is well aware his side face as difficult a task as any to make it through to the next round.

He said: “We are under no illusions about how tough a game it will be for us. Aberdeen are a quality team who are also on a good run of form.

“They produced a good, professional performance on Sunday to win 1-0 at Partick Thistle. They know how to see a match out. We know we will have to be at the top of our game if we hope to get a result on Saturday. The previous match here was a great game of football with both teams trying to play and pass the ball so this has the makings of a cracking cup tie.

“We want to get a run in the cup but we think we have the toughest draw out of everybody.

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“Aberdeen will maybe be saying the same about us. But if you get through this one, then who knows?

“There are a lot of Premiership teams playing each other. I think you need a little bit of luck in a cup competition but Saturday is a game we are looking forward to.”

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