And, today, Jocky, whose own side knocked the Dons out of the Co-op Cup, was again highlighting the fact there is life outside the Premier League, and putting a case forward for expanding the top division.

Along with Aberdeen’s demise, this season’s Scottish Cup has also seen Inverness Caley beat Motherwell, while Dunfermline pushed Celtic all the way before going down 4-2.

Those results, and others of a similar nature in recent knockout competitions, have convinced Jocky there are clubs in Division One who would cope in the top flight and, he feels, help improve the overall standard of football on offer.

However, the Dens boss is well aware, for that to happen, SPL clubs would have to accept a lesser share of the top-flight kitty, which, he feels, is an unlikely scenario.

“What last night’s result again shows is that there are teams in Division One who could hold their own in the Premier League,” said Jocky.

“Including ourselves, I reckon there are five or six teams who could step up. I’m not saying we would be winning every week, but I’m sure we could cope.

“But, unfortunately, because of the greed in the SPL, we are not going to get that opportunity unless we win the First Division.

“That’s nothing to do with managers. It’s down to the people in the boardrooms who run these clubs.

“They don’t want to split the pot 16 ways. They only want to split it 12 ways — it’s a disgrace.

“I think Jim Jefferies came out last week and said the Premier League should be increased to 16 teams and, so far, I think he’s one of the few managers who have actually said it.

“But we need more to come out and admit it, because the overall standard of games is poor.”

Meanwhile, Jocky was full of praise for Raith, whose victory last night set up a quarter-final tie against the Dark Blues on Saturday, March 13.

And he warned his own men they face a huge task if they are to reach the semis.

“Raith definitely deserved to win last night. They wanted it more and their workrate was magnificent.

“I think some of the Aberdeen players took it for granted they would go through. They thought the job had been done when they took Raith back to Pittodrie.

“We certainly won’t be doing that when Raith come here.

“I saw them last night and also last Saturday, and I know it will be an extremely difficult tie.

“They’ve gone to Pittodrie and deservedly got a result, so they’ll come here thinking they can do the same.

“However, we’ve got a few league games to concentrate on before then and one of them is at Raith, so we’ll get an indication of how hard the cup-tie will be when we play them down there.”

Meanwhile, Dundee sent a strong team through to the west today to face Celtic in a closed-door game.

Included in the Dark Blues line-up were Tony Bullock, Craig McKeown, Richie Hart, Sean Higgins and Colin McMenamin.

It’s been confirmed Paul McHale won’t play again this season after injuring a groin against QOS in November.

The midfielder had surgery to cure the problem, but, although on the mend, he won’t feature in the title run-in.

And Peter insists his new assistant Paul Hegarty and first-team coach Gary Kirk are perfectly capable of filling in at Tannadice when he is away.

He said, “I would trust implicitly these guys to look after United if I’m away for a couple of days.

“Terry Butcher was involved with Scotland before and he was the manager of a football club and everything seemed to work OK,” he added.

Peter is set to hold talks with United chairman Stephen Thompson at the end of the season about becoming part of the national set-up for the Euro Championship campaign.

And he is confident United will agree to allow him to assist Levein in the future.

He said, “It’s something I want to do and, hopefully, something can be worked out.”

Peter will be keeping a close eye on Ibrox tonight when Rangers face St Mirren in the Scottish Cup. The winners are at home to the Tangerines next month.

“We must concentrate, be organised and keep the back door shut.”

Michael Duberry is again set to be at the heart of the Perth side’s defence.

“Michael’s done well in the three games he’s played for us,” said Derek.

“Hopefully, he’ll help settle us down at the back where his experience can be a major factor.”

Saints are looking for a repeat of their Co-op Cup form against Hibs.

They beat the Easter Road side 3-1 in that competition in Edinburgh earlier this season.

However, they have a tough assignment ahead.

“Hibs aren’t third in the SPL for nothing. They’re a good side who have played well to get there.

“They have been consistent and we’re aware of the danger they pose,” Derek added.

However, he went on, “Although we have won only one point in our last two games, an away point at St Mirren being followed by a 3-2 loss at Kilmarnock, we have played very well.

“Obviously, we want to repeat that form again tonight and, this time get a win.

“And our supporters can play a massive role in that.

“We need as many of our fans as possible to be there and get behind us. Hopefully, we’ll give them plenty to shout about.”

Midfielder Kevin Moon and forward Collin Samuel are fit again and take their places in the Perth side’s squad.