And Smith insisted it would have been a tremendous advert for Scottish football at a time when a lack of a television deal has cast doubts over the future of the game.

He said: ‘‘The Dundee derby is always a big game and even when there is only the issue of which of us finishes higher in the league at stake, the fans will still turn out.

‘‘I think it is a scandal that Sky TV have not made any of the derbies this season their live game.

‘‘There have been three very good quality games with plenty of excitement and I think this one will be the same.

‘‘If they put it on TV instead of a game they think Rangers or Celtic will win three or four nil, it would show there is a good standard of football up here.

‘‘Both teams know how much it means to the fans to be the top side in the city and we’ll see two sides playing in the right way to try and win.’’

Dundee boss Ivano Bonetti has urged supporters to snap up the remaining tickets and make the game a sell-out.

And he wants the great rivals to show there is life without the Old Firm should they quit the SPL in the foreseeable future.

Bonetti said: ‘‘I have said if Celtic and Rangers want to take most of the money instead of sharing equally they should leave.

‘‘It would be good if we can show that if they go we can still have full grounds.

‘‘Our games with United have been special and good occasions for the city. It would be good for everyone if this happens again.’’

Dundee welcome back Walter Del Rio from a two-match suspension, although Barry Smith and Lee Wilkie could stay together at the heart of the defence.

Playmaker Georgi Nemsadze could be on the bench for the first time in over five months following an operation on his knee.

Striker Fabian Caballero is, though, set to miss out again because of his knee strain.

United will be without skipper Danny Griffin who had to come off during last weekend’s win over Motherwell because of a thigh strain, as well as long-term absentees Jim McIntyre, Jim Hamilton and Stephen Wright.

Jamie McCunnie returns at full-back after missing the last couple of games through a combination of injury and suspension.