Paul Hartley Prepared For Tough Falkirk Scottish Cup Test

[JoeCovenant]

Dundee manager Paul Hartley will show Falkirk every respect in their rescheduled William Hill Scottish Cup fourth-round tie at Dens Park tonight.

The Dark Blues welcome Peter Houston’s Ladbrokes Championship side to Tayside after the initial fixture was postponed a fortnight ago due to a waterlogged pitch.

Dundee are favourites but the Bairns were beaten finalists last season and defeated Rangers last month to keep themselves in with an outside chance of the Championship title.

Hartley, who worked under Houston at Hearts, said: “We know Falkirk are a good side. We’ve had them watched and they’ve got some very good players.

“I always thought Peter Houston would make a good manager and he’s proving that now.

“He’s got experience of this competition and his teams always play open football.

“So we’re under no illusions. It will be tough but we’re prepared for that and are looking forward to the tie.â€

Dundee lost 1-0 away to Aberdeen in the Premiership last Friday but Hartley knows the cup is a different scene.

He said: “I was quite happy with how we played at Aberdeen. They are quality opposition but we did a lot of things right.

“However, we’re going into a different kind of game on this occasion.

“Falkirk will see it as a big game so we’ll be treating them like any other team we face.â€

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