The Dark Blues are reluctant to make the game all-ticket and would consider moving home fans from the South Enclosure to accommodate the visiting support.

That suggestion has riled a small section of Dundee season ticket holders, who feel they should be allowed to keep their regular seat, although it is something that has happened in the past when the Old Firm have visited Dens.

However, Jim considers safety to be paramount to any decision and feels it would be “ludicrous” for Dundee to put themselves in a position where they had to lock fans out when there were still empty seats in the stadium.

That’s a scenario Dundee are all too aware of, having suffered a similar fate at Livingston a few years back, something that still rankles with Dark Blues fans.

Speaking on the club’s official website, Jim said, “We won’t know the situation until the weekend games.

“But Saints have indicated to us they think they would bring around 5000 fans if they have the chance of winning the title that day. Given the experience of our fans at Livingston four years ago, when we had several hundred locked out, I believe it would be hypocritical of us to lock out many visiting fans from a game which is very important to their club.

“Livingston were widely condemned for locking out people who had travelled, and we certainly wouldn’t want our club to be similarly castigated.

“We’ve previously looked at and asked the police whether visiting fans could be allowed into both ends of the Main Stand for games where a large visiting support was going to be in attendance, and the request was refused because segregation would be impossible with Dundee fans situated between two sections of away support. This leaves us with the option of using the South Enclosure for visiting fans.

“It’s been used for Celtic and Rangers fans, and experience shows an away support in that area of the ground leave down Dens Road towards where their buses will be parked in Neish Street.

“As someone who stood and sat in the South Enclosure for years, I fully realise it is the spiritual home of the Dundee support, but my main concern has to be the security and safety of everyone who attends the match.”

Meanwhile, on the playing front at Dens, Giorgos Efrem is in line for a return after missing out the last few weeks due to international duty and a hamstring problem.

“Geordie trained yesterday and was feeling a wee bit tender, but we’ll see how he goes over the next few days,” said boss Jocky Scott.