Neil McCann eyes important victory for Dundee in Perth

Dundee manager Neil McCann feels winning three points in Perth would be a major boost for his improving side.

The Dee have only won once in their previous 14 Tayside derbies at McDiarmid Park but they beat St Johnstone earlier in the season and in recent weeks have shown real signs they are embracing McCann's style of play.

However, they sit just two points off the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership ahead of the final match before the winter break.

''It's huge,'' McCann told Dee TV. ''The St Johnstone game gives us the opportunity to go down to McDiarmid and get three really big points because, going into another break, a well-earned rest for the players would be very welcomed.

We are capable of getting those three points. They need to do what they are good at, which is making sure application levels are high, performance levels are good and doing what we work on all the time, which is being good on the ball but trying to be a threat going forward.

If we can do that then I believe we can get a win.''

McCann handed teenagers Matt Henvey and Jack Lambert debuts off the bench during the Boxing Day defeat to Celtic and he promised to give more young players the chance - if they show they can help the team.

''I didn't put them on for a pat on the back, to give up on the game and let everyone see a couple of promising players,'' he said.

''I congratulated them on their debuts but I said to them that the reason they got on the pitch is to bring a certain quality to the game.

Matty Henvey runs down the sides of people, he's a real goal threat and he's been banging them in for the under-20s, and I want him to do that.

Jack Lambert is such a creative player and he's got that difference, he's got that wee dangerous pass where he can see things and open it up.

It was a big opportunity for them to get on the pitch against Celtic and it shows them the level required at this standard of football and I'm hoping that's going to stand them in good stead.

We've got a lot of talented boys that are pushing for a place and they are just two of them.''