SFL Previews: Dundee eyeing a flawless finish

THERE are three games in the Scottish football league tonight, with a depleted Falkirk squad hosting Morton, Dundee travelling to Hamilton and in the Third Division, Queen’s Park entertain Clyde.

• FIRST DIVISION

Hamilton v Dundee

Dundee, 15 points off the top with a game in hand over leaders Ross County, head to Lanarkshire knowing they can ill-afford any slip-ups if they are to keep alive any faint hopes of the title.

Manager Barry Smith, whose side are unbeaten in nine games, said: “I do not worry about what Ross County are doing as all I can influence is what Dundee do. If we don’t win every game it doesn’t matter what they do.”

Hamilton’s 4-0 success at Livingston set them up nicely as they aim to avenge a 6-1 defeat from the last time the Dark Blues visited New Douglas Park. Manager Billy Reid said: “We have been playing well away from home and now it is time to bring that form to our home ground. We are entering an exciting phase of the season with two home games and then the Ramsdens Cup final. Beating Dundee would be a great start.”

Accies miss Ali Crawford and Stephen Hendrie but Mark McLaughlin is available. Dundee will again be without Nicky Riley and Steven Milne.

Falkirk v Morton

Falkirk, who slipped 15 points behind leaders Ross County after losing in Dingwall on Saturday, will have under-19 goalkeeper Graham Bowman between the sticks as Michael McGovern is suspended after his dismissal at the weekend. Farid El Alagui also misses out after being red-carded against County, while Kieran Duffie is still suspended, but Darren Dods returns. Morton’s Peter Weatherson is suspended, while Derek Young and Paul di Giacomo are doubts.

• THIRD DIVISION

Queen’s Park v Clyde

A win tonight would see third-place Queen’s Park close within nine points of Alloa ahead of Saturday’s showdown with the leaders, but manager Gardner Speirs is refusing to entertain talk of the title. “I am only concentrating on one game only and that is the Clyde one,” he said. “I will think only about Alloa once this one is out of the way and hopefully out of the way with a win.”

Speirs’ only injury doubt is Craig Smith, while Clyde miss Gavin Brown, Kieran Brannan, Kris Irvine and Daniel Fitzpatrick and have doubts over Brian McQueen and Declan Gallacher.