Jocky, however, made it clear today if he does make a signing or two after the transfer window opens at midnight on Thursday, he is likely to be concentrating on the other end of the park.

“I heard about the Willo Flood thing over the weekend, but where that one started I don’t have a clue and it is not something we’ve looked at.

“Right now, all I’d say on the subject of signings is, while the back four have been doing very well, we don’t have a great deal of cover and that is something I’m aware of.”

He would not elaborate further, but with David Cowan still a long way from fitness and Craig McKeown battling back via a loan spell at Stirling Albion, adding another centre-half is one option.

Summer target from Latvia Pavels Mihadjuks is a possibility and, as well as strengthening the squad, such a move would allow Kyle Benedictus to go out on loan.

Benedictus remains very well thought of at Dens and the feeling is his development would be best served by a regular game in the lower leagues for the next few months.

Jocky is also conscious of the fact he’s been operating without specialist cover for Eddie Malone and may consider fixing up a left-back.

Any new arrival, though, would have to be willing to fight for a place in a team that opened an eight-point advantage at the top of the First Division on Saturday.

And the gaffer believes the fact his team “only” drew at Inverness shows how well they have been going.

“In the end, I was not unhappy with a draw because Queen of the South and Partick drew as well, and while we should have won the game in the first hour, Inverness had some decent chances in the last half-hour,” he added.

“The players were very disappointed and to be feeling that way after a point at a difficult place to go to shows they have a winning mentality and that’s not something I want to see change.”

Gary Harkins will miss this weekend’s trip to Airdrie after being sent off for two yellow cards his boss considered harsh.

“He threw the ball away for his first booking and, while that is dissent, if the referee and linesman had got the decision right and awarded a throw-in to us it would never have happened.

“Even the second one was a tackle that was late rather than malicious and I felt a foul would have been punishment enough.”

That run includes a comfortable 3-0 success at Tannadice just under a fortnight ago and it is the memory of that night that has left the Tangerines in determined mood.

“There is never an easy time to go to Ibrox and the way Rangers are going right now makes this one look difficult,” admitted Peter.

“The players, though, know they did not do themselves justice the other week and they are glad to have a chance so quickly to show they are better than they were that night.

“They’ve been speaking about this game and are looking forward to it. As always, the big thing is to make sure they do it on the park.

“What we have to do is get hold of the ball and keep it. When we have possession, we have to use it well and, if we do, we can do well because, in some ways, this is a big challenge for Rangers as the onus will be on them to keep their run going.”

With Andy Webster dropping out of the defence under the terms of his loan deal from Ibrox, Darren Dods is likely to return to the defence.

That situation has meant a shorter than normal Christmas break for teenage defender Craig Hill.

“We like to give the younger ones a few days off at this time of year and Craig has been back home in Ireland, but we are short on cover so he has come back over and he’ll be in the squad,” added Peter.

“He’s been on the bench for the first team a few times, so he know what it’s all about.”

Morgaro Gomis will return to the squad after missing out against Kilmarnock on Saturday through suspension.

While that game finishing goalless was a disappointment, Peter was still able to take some positives from it — most notably at the back.

“We had the chances to win and should have, but even when things have not gone exactly as youwanted, you still look for the positives in any game.

“The big one on Saturday was definitely the way we defended. Getting a clean sheet was good because we have not had enough of them and it was a comfortable one.”

Peter has made it clear he will not be dragged into speculation concerning the appointment of the next manager, but along with former Hearts colleague and Raith Rovers boss John McGlynn, he remains the front-runner.