BRENT SANCHO reckons Dundee must approach today’s game against Kilmarnock as if their SPL lives depend on the outcome.
The Dark Blues are four points clear of bottom pair Livingston and Dunfermline and Sancho views this round of fixtures as having a potentially critical bearing on his side’s league fate, especially when they haven’t won outside the city of Dundee this season.
“The Kilmarnock game is a must-win for us,” he stated.
“Our form away from home has been dreadful and I don’t understand why but this one has to be treated like a cup final.
“There must be a do-or-die mentality from us.
“The approach, no ifs or buts, has to be win this match and it keeps us up.
“The thing at this stage of the season is that you aren’t just looking for points. You are looking to inflict psychological damage on the sides around you.
“The first thing you do when you come off the park is find out how the teams you are battling with have done. And for your own part you want to be sending a message that you are up for the fight.
“It would be perfect if we could get a result at Rugby Park which tells everyone that we are going to fight and survive.”
The terrible injury sustained by Lee Wilkie means Sancho will be at the heart of Dundee’s defence for the closing weeks of the season.
And he hopes that in helping the Dark Blues beat the drop he will at least have the option to remain at Dens beyond the expiry of his existing contract this summer.
“I am gutted for Lee,” he said. “To come back and do so well only to succumb to the same injury is horrific.
“But he is in unexpectedly good spirits. And hopefully he can get over this injury and get back on the park because he still has a lot of football left in him.
“My own future, of course, is up in the air but the team comes before the person and it is more important for me to help keep Dundee in the SPL than sorting out what I am going to do.
“Of course my mind is on what happens to me after the end of the season but if we don’t stay in the SPL I might not have a future at the club anyway although the manager has told me he wants me to stay.
“When I came to Dundee I said I wanted to play at the highest level possible and challenge myself every year. And if that opportunity comes about I am going to have to do that.
“But as it is, I like playing here and I am leaving my contract situation in God’s hands.”