Today, though, his opposite number at Dens was quick to point out that not so long ago he would have bitten the hand off anyone who offered his team a points advantage going into this game.

“Four or five weeks ago, if someone told us we would be five points ahead of anyone right now, we would have been more than happy,” said Jim today. “We were bottom then and would have taken an advantage of a point — a goal even — just to move up the table. It says a lot for our progress that tomorrow we have the chance of getting the gap back to eight points.”

And preparing his team so they have the best possible chance of doing that was all that was concerning Jim.

“Livingston’s result the other night has added an edge to the game and I am aware there will be extra pressure. As far as I am concerned, all the various permutations about what might happen are for journalists and the media to focus on.

“For me, the only angle I am approaching this from is preparing a team so that we have the best possible chance of getting three points.

“Once we’ve done that, we will see what happens and then look at the situation once we know the result. What I would add, is that, for us, it is a game where we can be positive because we know that a win will do us a lot of good. If we go about the job in the same way as we did for an hour at Celtic on Wednesday, we have a very good chance of winning.”

It is still too early to say for definite, but the manager looks like having the option of using the same starting line-up as faced the Hoops.

Midfielder Mark Fotheringham had to go off at Parkhead with a knock on the knee, but is in the running to be fit. However, there is no place for striker Tam McManus, who has been ruled out due to an ankle injury.

The Dark Blues, meanwhile look set to have a keeper with extensive SPL experience on the bench tomorrow. The player concerned, who hasn’t arrived at the club yet, will provide back-up for Derek Souter following Kelvin Jack’s injury.

Dundee are hopeful of a big turnout tomorrow as fans take advantage of the latest kids-for-free scheme that will see up to nine youngsters per supervising adult allowed in.

Supporters are reminded that anyone wishing to take up the offer and head for the Bobby Cox Stand will first have to pick up tickets at the club shop — the Bob Shankly Stand is pay-at-the-gate for adults.

“We’ve just played Aberdeen twice and we’ve got Motherwell tomorrow, and credit goes to both of them for having good seasons. But, despite our league position, I don’t see any reason why we should not be up there next season,” said Ian.

“Right now, we are fighting for survival, but, if we can secure our SPL place, I think next season you will see us back fighting for a place in the top half of the table.”

He takes his team to Fir Park tomorrow accepting they need points and knowing that, for the first time since his arrival at Tannadice just over two years ago, there is daylight between the two teams in the SPL.

“Until now, we’ve had similar seasons since I came here. The first year we were 11th and they were 12th, then, last season, it was fifth and sixth.

“Even this season, we’ve both done well in the cup competitions, with them reaching the final of the CIS Cup and us getting to two semis. There is a gap in the league this time, and that is because they have achieved more consistency than we have and you take your hat off to them.

“We are still going there confident we have the ability to get a result in a one-off game and, if we do, it will not have been a bad week. We played very well and got a great result on Sunday and, although we then lost on Wednesday, we did not play badly.”

United are set to be boosted by the return to an injury-hit defence of David McCracken for the first time in a month. He will be a timely replacement for the suspended Paul Ritchie, who is serving an automatic one-match ban after his red card on Wednesday night.

“David will be OK to play and my only concern with him is that he has not had a game for a month now. However, he has recovered from his injury and is naturally fit.

“Given our situation, playing him is a risk we have to take.”

Meanwhile, it was hoped there would be a surprise inclusion in the squad for top scorer Jim McIntyre. An absentee since injuring an ankle against Inverness Caley Thistle in the middle of last month, he was not due back until next week’s trip to Kilmarnock, but had recovered more quickly than expected.

However, a throat infection has put paid to any chance the striker has of facing the Steelmen, while Derek McInnes remains a week away from a comeback.

“Derek is on course to be ready for next week and just seeing him getting close to returning is a boost,” added Ian

McIntyre’s deputy for the last couple of games, Jason Scotland, had to come off with a toe injury against Aberdeen on Wednesday night, but he is expected to be OK.

Raith Rovers have three injury worries for their trip to Ross County.

Anthony Bartholome, David Berthelot and Iain Davidson are all doubts for boss Gordon Dalziel.

Should goalkeeper Berthelot not make the Highland fixture, teenager Stuart Hall will step in between the posts.

Division Two’s match of the day will be at table-topping BRECHIN’S Glebe Park, where second-placed Stranraer are the visitors.

“It’s a massive game for both sides,” said Brechin manager Ian Campbell.

“Games like this look after themselves and I’m relaxed. We’ll be up for it.”

A win will establish a useful points lead, but it is an opportunity for Stranraer to draw level.

Scott Walker has completed his suspension and is available again for a squad that has been toughened up by the arrival of James Sharp and Steven Ferguson, who have impressed immediately.

“The recent blip has made people realise that no-one’s going to hand anything to us on a plate,” said Campbell.

“There is nothing between the sides in this league and you have to work for what you get.”

Arbroath will hope to continue their recent revival when they welcome Morton to Gayfield.

Having won their last three home games, Arbroath have been dragging themselves out of the relegation zone.

And the daunting prospect of playing Morton will be made no easier by the presence in the visitors’ ranks of vastly-experienced winger Andy McLaren, who has become a firm favourite with the Cappielow faithful since arriving on loan from Dundee United.

Arbroath boss Harry Cairney said, “Andy is a very good player with bags of experience and he will add something to an already big challenge for us.

“On the plus side, we have been playing well recently and we hope to improve on our earlier performances against Morton this season.”

Arbroath have no real squad worries, Greg Henslee having recovered from the nasty knock to the nose sustained last Saturday, although Paul Farquharson and James Collier could be out of contention after being injured in U/19 action last Sunday.

FORFAR boss Brian Fairley says the last thing he wants to see is last weekend’s good work wasted.

The Loons delivered what the manager felt was an excellent performance to get back on a winning track against Alloa and after the midweek postponement of a home clash with Morton, fingers are crossed that Forthbank will be playable for the visit to Stirling Albion.

Alan Rattray remains out through injury and David Lowing is suspended.

Gretna can win promotion from the Third Division if they win at Cowdenbeath.

But all that is concerning Cowden team boss Dave Baikie is that his team give a good, hard-working performance.

“We’re not expected to win, but we’ll be out there giving it our best shot,” said Dave.

Cowden’s only injury doubt is back strain victim Paddy Kelly.

East Fife boss Jim Moffat hopes to be able to call on the majority of his squad following an injury crisis earlier in the week.

Brian Fairbairn, Kevin Bain, Les Byle, Fraser Duncan, Iain McDonald and Stevie Nicholas all visited the Fifers’ physio room.

However, there is a chance all six will be able to play against Peterhead at New Bayview tomorrow.

Kris Brash misses out due to family business, and Craig Johnston, Michael Hall and John Dodds are again sidelined.

On a midweek pitch made slippy by a flurry of snow, Montrose at last found the net.

East Stirling may be the poorest opposition in the league, but Kevin Webster and Duncan McLean each netted a brace, to give a confidence boost to the squad.

The bonus for boss Henry Hall was that there were no further injuries.

Euan Hall, Ross Graham and Neil Stephen are back in training but unlikely to make it for the visit to Albion Rovers, so the winning midweek squad will be named again.

The Taysiders began their play-off campaign with a 4-3 midweek defeat against Bracknell, while Flyers were also on the receiving end, losing 4-1 at Guildford.

Stars coach Roger Hunt remained upbeat, however, despite that defeat.

He said, “Obviously, I’m disappointed we didn’t get anything from the Bracknell game, but we put in a good performance despite our short bench and the injury problems we’ve been having lately.

“Fife are in the same position as us, they really want these points as well, so it will be a very interesting weekend of hockey.”

Stars will be missing James Hutchison and Paul Berrington through injury, while Ali Haddanou remains sidelined until after Sunday as he is still serving a four-game ban.

Tomorrow’s game is at Fife Ice Arena at 7.15 pm. The return leg on Sunday faces-off at 6.30 pm at Dundee Ice Arena.