Mark McGhee says going cold and hungry could give Dundee survival edge
The Dundee boss has revealed bizarre methods he is using ahead of Saturday's match against St Johnstone
Dundee boss Mark McGhee has revealed bizarre techniques he'll be using to prepare for this weekend's crucial relegation clash with St Johnstone.
The Dens Park side sit bottom of the table - five points behind Callum Davidson's men going into the match.
McGhee knows a win is vital to help give them hope in their survival battle and admits he is turning to unique methods in the build-up.
The 64-year old says he will turn off his heating and go on a strict diet to try and give them the edge on Saturday.
The Dundee boss said: “It requires no stone being left unturned because when the boys run out there on Saturday we need to be able to say we’ve done everything we can to help them get a result.
“I’m going to tell you something really silly. I was trying to make a point with this with Charlie on Monday and he ended up taking the mickey out of me.
“There are two things I’m doing this week to focus us on getting the win. The first thing, I’ve gone on a diet so I’m hungry all the time.
“I can then ask myself why am I hungry – and I am hungry because there is a big game on Saturday.
“The second thing I’m doing, and I’ve also told Charlie I am doing this, I won’t be using any heating. So I will be cold.
“I then ask myself why am I cold – and I can say because of the game on Saturday.
“It’s not the two things of being cold and hungry but it’s the principle of it because I am asking my own players to make this game as important in their own minds. I want them to focus on the game and this is what I am doing to make sure they are focused.”
“For the rest of this week I will be on this strict diet and I won’t use the heating.
“When I get here on Saturday not only will I feel I’ve done everything but I’ll also be able to feel I’ve given everything.
“So I might feel more deserving of a good result. That’s the way the players need to think.
“We need the players to change – if they keep doing the same things as they have done it’s the Einstein adage that if you keep doing the same things and expect a different outcome then it is madness.
“You have to change something and this is what I’ve adopted as part of the process. Charlie says I’m off my head.”