He still accepts the league performance and promotion to the SPL is more important to the club financially, but sees no reason why the players should treat either competition differently.

“As players, we are greedy at Dundee. We want to win football matches and if they are in the league or cup it does not matter,” he said.

“If you ask me to choose between league or cup I say I want both.

“I am 30 now and for me it’s important to be winning — I would love to be in the SPL next season, but I would love a cup semi-final as well.”

Palenik believes that attitude is reflected right through the squad and he believes that, despite six of the players who took part in the win over St Johnstone last Saturday being unavailable, Dundee still have a great chance of making the last four.

“To have half our players out is not good. Because of that it will be harder, but we can play a good game and still win because we have good players coming into the team.”

Even the Doonhamers’ recent excellent record, that’s seen them lose just once since mid-December beating the Dens men twice in the process, does not daunt Palenik.

“They are a dangerous team and it will be a very hard game, but when you are playing and it is win, win, win, it becomes a pressure.

“This is a big game and they will be worried that this is the one they will lose because it has to happen sometime.”

The full list of Dundee absentees reads Colin McMenamin and Mickael Antoine-Curier cup-tied, Gary MacKenzie and Kevin McDonald suspended as well as injured pair Scott Robertson and Derek Lyle.

On loan midfielder from Hibs, Patrick Noubissie, will make his debut and boss Alex Rae, though, was quick to stress he is happy with the line up he’ll cobble together.

“There are a few out, but I have my team in my mind and when I look at it, I like what I see.

“Patrick will be involved and the other players are ones who, in the past, have shown they have the ability to go away to difficult places and get results,” he said.

Over 2000 Dundee fans will be making the trip and the manager believes they can be the 12th man.

“It’s a long way and a lot of money, so when you see how many will be there to get behind us, it is quite frightening.

“We know they’ll make a lot of noise and the aim is to give them plenty to shout about.”

The travelling fans have been urged to leave early because of roadworks on the M77 near Hamilton and parking problems in Dumfries which is also hosting a fair tomorrow.

“We have been playing well and have a bit of confidence just now, but this is a cup quarter-final and to me that makes it like a derby,” he said.

“It’s a one-off, the adrenalin will be flowing and it is going to come down to which team performs on the day.

“Our form has been good since December, but Dundee have run into form as well and I am not looking at the fact we have won the last two games against them as significant.

“Do that and you risk getting complacent. Both games were very tight and could have gone either way, so we know this is a hard tie.”

Equally, Gordon takes no extra confidence from the lengthy absentee list at Dens and feels the players Alex Rae can bring in will be just as dangerous as the ones who are missing out.

“Dundee still have decent players at their disposal and the ones who get their chance will want to show Alex they should be in the team every week.”

There is no hiding, though, that the ex-defender’s feeling is that his team has what it takes to reach the semis.

“I have to say that we have a great team spirit here and the boys have been working very hard for their results.

“What we’ve managed to do down here at Palmerston is make it a place where teams don’t look forward to going.

“We might not play well every game, but if anyone gets a result here, they know they’ve had to work hard for it.”

Tomorrow’s tie has become the battle of the First Division Managers of the Month. The award for February has been awarded jointly to Alex Rae and Gordon Chisholm.

While the rush for Hampden tickets has been a pleasant distraction, Craig knows it could have affected his men. That it didn’t and they beat Gretna 3-0 left him delighted.

“The boys stayed focused and played very well last night,” he said.

“Even the fact I gave the likes of Lee Wilkie and Mark Kerr a break didn’t turn out to be a problem.”

The only problem Craig is likely to have if this kind of form is repeated against Celtic on Wednesday, is who is left out for the CIS Final.

“It’s great to see the players who came in respond the way they did. There is competition for places.

“There are ideas I want to work on and I’m determined to give us the best possible chance of winning the cup.”

And he immediately endeared himself to the McDiarmid Park faithful with a goal for Saints in their 3-2 First Division defeat at Dundee last Saturday.

And, as he looked forward to tomorrow’s encounter, he said, “It’s great for a First Division club like St Johnstone to get this far.”

He went on, “I know they reached the Scottish Cup and CIS Cup semis last season, and won the Challenge Cup this season, so their recent cup form is very good.

“As well as a European Cup Winners’ Cup medal and FA Cup medal, I also have a European Super Cup medal, so haven’t done too badly in cups myself.

“No matter what cup a team is playing in, these matches are always special. We’re in the quarter-finals and a win will take us nearer to the final.

“The further you get to a final the more of a taste you have for the tournament and this is another great opportunity for St Johnstone to shine in a cup game.”

Although tomorrow’s match will be Jody’s first at McDiarmid, he knows a fair bit about the Perth Saints.

“I’m friendly with the gaffer, Derek McInnes. We played together at Millwall and have kept in touch.

“I also know Felipe Morais, now at Hibs who was with St Johnstone for a spell last season, as he was also at Millwall. And I’ve kept in touch with Peter MacDonald since meeting him at a charity dinner.

“So I was keeping an eye on St Johnstone’s results before I had the chance to sign and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. The lads are all buzzing and the game has all the makings of being a super occasion.”

Apart from their long term absentees, St Johnstone have no other injury concerns.