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James McPake: Presence of large Celtic support will also boost Dundee

James McPake: Presence of large Celtic support will also boost Dundee
© Reuters
There will be 24,500 Hoops fans inside the stadium, the biggest crowd in Scotland for close to 18 months.

Dundee manager James McPake believes the presence of a large Celtic support will help his players at Parkhead on Sunday.

There will be 24,500 Hoops fans inside the stadium, the biggest crowd in Scotland for close to 18 months.

No Dundee fans will be permitted but Scotland is edging back towards the absence of crowd limits, although some local authorities might insist on some restrictions.

McPake has felt a major difference with supporters back in recent weeks with Dundee allowed 4,000 in for their opening cinch Premiership clash with St Mirren.

"It has been noticeable," he said. "The fans getting in last week was fantastic. On Sunday there will be an even bigger crowd.

"These lads have all played in front of crowds of that size before or bigger so it won't faze them.

"Will it edge them on? Of course it will. The atmosphere will help the Celtic players, the atmosphere will help the Dundee players.

"I know it sounds daft but it became pretty normal playing in front of no fans. And now you get that buzz.

"We got that buzz when we played in front of fans at the play-off final against Kilmarnock – that was brilliant.

"We want fans back, whether you are home or away, because they make a massive difference to football. We know that and we can see that."

McPake, who has lost striker Danny Mullen to an ankle injury, added: "It's a big game for our club. It's one of the reasons we wanted to be back in the Premiership, to go to venues like this because they are fantastic places to play football.

"It's 11 against 11 and we want to go there and put a stamp on the game."

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General view of Dens Park, home to Dundee, from 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic330087285987
2RangersRangers430184295584
3Hearts311149371266
4Kilmarnock31114538755
5St Mirren31024247-546
6Dundee40044867-1941
Relegation Group
1Aberdeen33004149-844
2Motherwell32015554143
3Hibernian31024858-1042
4Ross County31023564-2933
5St Johnstone30032652-2631
RLivingston32012764-3724
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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