Tay derby to boost clubs’ war chests

Dundee and Dundee United are on course to attract a bumper 8,500 crowd for Saturday’s city derby. The friendly at Dens Park is aimed at raising money for both managers’ transfer kitties. United have already sold their allocation of 4,100 while the Dark Blues are expected to sell at least that number.

A Dundee spokesman said: “It looks like there’s going to be a very healthy crowd which will benefit both clubs.”

Dundee new boy John Baird feels a sense of deja vu as his club dreams of an SPL return. He was in the Airdrie United side which won promotion to the First Division in 2009 after debt-ridden Livingston were demoted to the Third Division.

Waiting to find out if Dundee will be replace Rangers in the top-flight next season, he said: “It was unbelievable back then as well. There are definitely similarities. One minute we were preparing for life in the Second Division and then the next we were being promoted to the First Division just a few days before the new season started.

“You can imagine the excitement when something like that happens. But we still don’t know [what’s happening]. We just keep our heads down and carry on as normal for the time being.”