Neil McCann hope Dundee are pitch-perfect against Hearts

Neil McCann claimed he could still see the impact of Kilmarnock's artificial pitch on his Dundee players this week.

McCann's side drew 1-1 at Rugby Park on Saturday and the former Scotland winger is glad to be back on grass when Hearts visit Dens Park this weekend.

The Dark Blues manager said: “It's a poor artificial surface, I have to say, but the demands on the body are massive, the shock that goes through the body when you are going full tilt.''

“I have not done it for a long time for 90 minutes but I can imagine it would have some effects, and I saw those effects in the early part of this week.

“We tried to get the boys recovered but we have had a real good week and we are ready to go again.”

McCann was dissatisfied with his team's performance but felt the pitch, combined with the effects of facing Celtic three days earlier, allowed them some leeway.

“The artificial surface is not conducive to being sharp, in my opinion, unless it's wet, which it wasn't,'' he said.

“The surface is so poor on these artificial pitches that we are playing on now, I think it can have a direct affect on us.

“We are coming from an absolute bowling green and the two Brians (groundsmen) have done a remarkable job. It is their baby.

“We have got Celtic coming in after the game and (St Johnstone manager) Tommy Wright and his staff coming in after the game and complimenting our pitch.

“Coming up against Hearts on our own pitch, knowing what we are playing on, can help us without a doubt.''

McCann believes Craig Levein has made a difference since replacing Ian Cathro as manager of Dundee's next Ladbrokes Premiership opponents.

The former Hearts player said: “I know Ian tried to play in a certain way and it can be quite expansive at times.

“You could see what he was trying to do, there was a lot of movement, but under Craig it looks a lot more structured.

“That's something Craig has always been, that's why he has managed at the top level.