Football: No cake walk for Dundee but Scott is optimistic

THE Dundee manager, Jocky Scott, believes that if his side continue to show true grit next season they will survive in the Bell's Scottish Premier Division.

The Tayside team clinched the point they needed to seal the First Division title but only after coming from behind to force a 1-1 draw against Raith Rovers.

Eddie Annand's header from an Iain Anderson free-kick on 60 minutes cancelled out Paul Hartley's goal eight minutes earlier but it was enough to earn them promotion back to the top flight.

Scott said: "If they show the same commitment, application and determination next season I have no doubt they have the ability to stay there."

The fight to stay in the Premier Division is reaching a climax after Hibernian's 2-1 defeat of Hearts. Hibernian are five points adrift of Dunfermline at the foot of the table and the sides meet on Saturday at East End Park. Dunfermline grabbed a useful point from a 0-0 draw at Uefa Cup hopefuls St Johnstone.

Aberdeen are also in danger on the same 32-point mark as Dunfermline after a 0-0 draw at Dundee United. But the Dons manager, Alex Miller, believes there is enough quality in the squad to pull clear. He said: "We addressed the relegation situation weeks ago when freely admitting that we were involved in it. However, I'm confident that we can rid ourselves of the danger."

Kilmarnock are still on course for a place in Europe after their 1-1 draw with Motherwell and the manager, Bobby Williamson, said: "We will keep battling to chase that fourth spot."