| Skipper Mann is expected to be out for weeks after damaging ankle ligaments against the Jags in the league on Saturday, and Macdonald, who replaced him, is the obvious stand-in.
Assuming that is the case, the 23-year-old intends to make the most of his opportunity and help the team get back to winning ways after that weekend disappointment.
“It’s unfortunate for Bobby and, with his experience and leadership, everyone is going to miss him, but it is a chance for me to show the manager what I can do and, hopefully, stay in the team for a while,” he said.
“I’ll have my own job to do, but we do have a young squad and I definitely don’t feel I’m a kid any more, so I know I have to look to help others around me if I can.
“I’ve had a couple of seasons in the first-team squad now, one of them in the SPL, and I’ve picked up experience from playing with Barry Smith and Bobby, so I’ve an idea of what’s required.”
Taking the team as a whole, he knows if Dundee are to progress to the second round, what’s required tonight is a big improvement on the showing in that 1-0 league reversal.
“We all know in the dressing-room that we can play a lot better, both individually and collectively, than we did on Saturday.
“If it comes down to individual players, we know we should be beating them and it is up to us to produce our best and do that.
“We’re happy that we are getting an immediate chance to rectify the bad performance and put it right against the same opposition, but we have to make the most of it.”
Loan signing from Kilmarnock, Robert Campbell, is set for his debut and, with the French trialist who started on Saturday ineligible because he is not a signed player, the 20-year-old is expected to partner Bryan Deasley in attack.
With Scott Murray the only fit keeper on the books, South African Chad Harpur has arrived on trial, though he would have to sign up to be eligible for this tie.
The 23-year-old has had spells with Reading, Leeds United and Millwall, before returning to his homeland.
With extra-time and penalties a possibility, kick-off has been brought forward to 7.30 pm and fans are reminded season tickets are not valid. With a smaller attendance than Saturday expected, the south enclosure will not be open. By arrangement with Thistle, prices have been cut to £12 and £6. |
