Hartley impressed by Hamilton run
Paul Hartley has hailed Hamilton for their flying start to the season as the Dundee manager prepares his side for what he believes is the Scottish Premiership match of the day.
Last season's Championship title rivals go head-to-head for the first time in the Premiership when league leaders Accies visit Dens Park.
Hamilton have turned the tables on the Championship winners so far this season but Dundee have had a good start to the campaign too, sitting in seventh spot on 13 points.
Hartley will pay his hometown team every respect but is determined to steer his players to a first home victory in the Premiership.
The former Scotland midfielder said of Accies: "They've been great. All credit to Hamilton for what they have done so far this season.
"They're sitting top just now and that's down to all their efforts and some very good results.
"But it's up to us to try and take the game to them and see if we can get the three points.
"That's what we'll be trying to do as it's our home game at Dens Park.
"We want to get that first home win in front of our own supporters as soon as possible.
"There should be a good crowd with a great atmosphere on Saturday.
"It's the game of the day in the division and you can't ask for much more than that.
"Hopefully it brings out the best in our players on the day."
James McPake is set to return for Dundee after missing the win over Motherwell to attend his father's funeral.
But strikers Peter MacDonald (knee) and Luka Tankulic (foot) are both out and goalkeeper Kyle Letheren faces up to two months out with a knee injury.
Willie Dyer (knee) is almost fit again but this game could come too early for the full-back, while Simon Ferry is still short of fitness following a bout of bronchitis, but Paul McGinn has overcome the back injury that forced him off at Fir Park.
Hamilton player-manager Alex Neil is looking forward to selecting from a full squad.
The Scottish Premiership leaders have given skipper Martin Canning another week to recover from the knee injury which caused him to miss five games.
But he is ready to go, as is midfielder Jon Routledge after he showed no sign of rustiness following knee surgery when he played 90 minutes for Accies' under-20s against Dundee on Tuesday.
Grant Gillespie insists he is in no hurry to quit Hamilton - despite blurting out live on television he was looking for a move.
The 23-year-old midfielder joined team-mate Ali Crawford in penning a new three-and-half-year deal with the Scottish Premiership's surprise leaders on Friday morning.
The contracts will keep the pair at New Douglas Park until May 2018 and out of reach from interested clubs for the time being.
But Gillespie had to backtrack after telling Sky Sports News he was "hoping to get a move" at the end of the season.
He said: "I'm in no hurry to move. I said on TV that I was looking for a move but that was a slip of the tongue.
"My mind went blank and I didn't know what to say. What came out I instantly regretted. I'm delighted to be here for the next three years."
Source: PA
