A quicker indication of the support for the management team will, however, come in the form of an improved war chest to bring in new talent to enable them to have a real push at the top end of the First Division.

“Extending Alex and Davie’s contracts is something we will get round to, but we do not need them to sign pieces of paper to show they are here for the long term,” said chief executive Dave MacKinnon today.

“The chairman (Bob Brannan) has said he views Alex as a long-term appointment and that’s good enough for me and what is more important is that we put together a budget that allows them to have a real go at getting promotion.

“I cannot give you exact details, but it will be increased for next season and they will be in a position to do that. With the teams coming into the division, gate revenue will be up and we are working hard on bringing investment in.

“That will give Alex the money to bring in the players he needs — right now I’d say we have a dozen or so who can be relied on, but he needs more.”

This season, the Dark Blues have not been serious contenders, but, when all factors are taken into account, the board are satisfied with the work done by their team boss.

“When you consider all that has been going on off the park, it was not realistic to expect the team to be right up at the top of the league,” added Dave.

“This was always going to be a season of consolidation and we are very happy with the progress that has been made. As I’ve said, Alex has the basis of a good squad and now the financial situation has been sorted, by giving him an improved budget we believe he can really push on next season.”

For his part, the manager is continuing to speak to a number of players who he would like to see extending their deals beyond the summer of 2008, though, so far, no-one has put pen to paper.

Veteran defender Gary Smith, who is likely to sign up for another season, missed training today because of an ankle problem he picked up against Partick Thistle on Saturday.

This afternoon, Dens was invaded by around 80 local primary school children, who were attending a Show Racism the Red Card seminar.

The kids took part in a question-and-answer session with players Ludovic Roy, Dyron Daal and Khaled Hamdaoui and watched a video.

“Show Racism the Red Card are extremely pleased to be working with Dundee Football Club on this kind of event. The impact on the young people of meeting and listening to players in this setting is considerable,” said SRTRC campaign co-ordinator Billy Singh.

It was feared he had dislocated a knee cap — an injury that sidelined him for the first half of the season — but such was the swelling around the 17-year-old’s joint that it has been hard to tell the full extent of the injury.

A week or so ago, the knee had improved sufficiently for a scan to take place and a specialist has now examined the results.

An appointment with the Edinburgh-based medic was arranged for late this afternoon and Watson was heading through with his manager.

“Right now, it is a case of getting through and hearing what the specialist has to say, so we should have a clearer picture of the way forward later on,” said Craig.

Whatever the diagnosis, it is likely to be a long haul back to fitness for a defender who has impressed coaching staff like few others at Tannadice over the last decade.

Heading in the opposite direction this afternoon was a very young reserve side that faced Aberdeen at Links Park.

“We still have a few niggles with the first-team squad and I really couldn’t take the risk of sending any of the experienced players up to play and then be left short of bodies at Dunfermline on Saturday,” explained Craig.

“That, and the fact players don’t tend to need extra games at this time of the season, means there was not a lot of experience in the squad.”

On his way back from injury quicker than expected is wide man Craig Conway, whose broken foot has improved to the point where he has been able to start running again.

He had been ruled out for the rest of the season, but now may play some part in the run-in.

Saints, however, are so short of numbers, two 17-year-olds have been drafted in, with manager Owen Coyle stating “one of them looks like being on the bench.”

The two in question are defender Adam Monaghan and forward Bobby Barr.

Both are in their first season of full-time football — with Monaghan being signed straight from school — and have yet to play for the first team.

“Although we lost to Celtic, we have taken a lot of positives from the game.

“And, although we’re trailing Gretna for the one automatic promotion spot to the SPL, the boys will carry on the fight tonight. They can’t wait to get started,” said Owen.

Experienced midfield man Derek McInnes echoed these sentiments. “We have this game in hand over Gretna and must capitalise.

“A few of the boys took knocks on Saturday and we have three suspended.

“But those who haven’t been playing are keen to get involved, and bringing them in will give us an injection of freshness.

“We’re disappointed to be out of the Scottish Cup — but Saturday’s semi is over now. We’re fully focused on the task in hand.”