Scottish Cup Special Scott: Win Will Prove We're Ready For Top Flight Motherwell V Dundee Tonight, Fir Park, 7.45
SCOTT ROBERTSON last night insisted claiming Motherwell's scalp in the Scottish Cup would prove Dundee are ready to take their place in the SPL again.
Robertson hopes tonight's clash passes a 9am pitch inspection so Alex Rae's promotion hopefuls have the chance to test their top-flight credentials against Mark McGhee's high-flying side.
And midfielder Robertson reckons the Dark Blues can show they're ready for an SPL return by staging an upset and booking a quarter-final tie with fellow First Division outfit Queen of the South.
Robertson said: "I'm really relishing this tie. Having been in the First Division for three years now I want to play SPL sides every week.
"Rather than fearing the opposition I'm looking forward to the challenge.
"St Johnstone did it last year by beating Motherwell in the Cup.
"Hopefully we can do the same and it's not beyond us.
"It's not going to be easy obviously as Motherwell are going really well but we're not going there to make up the numbers."
Robertson is a big fan of Well's new-found flair under McGhee and knows the visitors will have to be on guard.
He said: "They've got a lot of great attacking options.
"Ross McCormack is on fire and David Clarkson is also back to form.
"Chris Porter is a handful and when those three are on song they're very dangerous.
"McCormack is already a contender for Young Player of the Year.
"I think last season he was a bit quieter but this season he's matured a lot and the interest from Middlesbrough shows how much he has improved."
Meanwhile, David Clarkson has poured cold water on a possible Scottish Cup semifinal slot - until Well beat the weather and send Dundee crashing out.
Motherwell haven't kicked a ball since beating Hearts in the fourth-round replay on January 22.
But the quarter-final draw has been kind to them with a date against First Division Queen of the South to look forward to - if they can beat the weather and send Alex Rae's men crashing out.
Motherwell have seen games against Inverness, Celtic and Dundee all postponed because of the state of their pitch.
And Clarkson said: "Games are going to be off which is frustrating. You can talk about a good run but first we have to get through this.
"We have to concentrate on this game and not look any further. If we look ahead we will get hurt.
"Who knows what the weather will be like anyway? If we can get the game on then we'll be delighted."
Motherwell have been impressive this season but despite their lack of activity the striker has warned the men from Dens they will be fitter than ever.
Clarkson said: "The gaffer has worked us hard in training and the break has given us a chance to top up our fitness.
"We did a lot of work in the summer on that and this has made us work even harder."
