Paul Hartley refuses to discuss Gary Harkins' comments on Rangers

Dundee manager Paul Hartley refused to comment on an interview by midfielder Gary Harkins in the Scottish press.

The 31-year-old described the Scottish Championship leaders as "a new club" when he was asked about the prospect of playing them in the Scottish Cup.

Dundee are preparing for a fifth-round replay against Dumbarton on Tuesday, and the winner of the tie will face the promotion hopefuls at Ibrox in the first week of March.

When asked about a possible trip to Govan in the quarter-finals, Harkins said: "They're just a new club. I've not played them before, so I'm looking forward to that. It should be good."

Rangers started at the bottom tier of Scottish football in 2012 after HMRC placed the club of the same name, which was formed in 1872, into liquidation.

Harkins later stated on his social media account that it was: "Just a wee joke took too far."

Asked for his thoughts on his captain's comments, Hartley said: "I don't have any thoughts on it. I haven't see them.

"I have been told about the headlines but it is not something that I like to get into or want to get into it.

"I didn't even know he had said anything until this morning so we will have a chat with Gary."

Dundee and Dumbarton drew a blank in the first game and Hartley believes patience on and off the field will be the key to victory for the top-flight side at the second time of asking.

"Because of where we are in the league and where Dumbarton are, leagues apart, sometimes people think it is going to be an easy game for us but these games are difficult," Hartley said.

"We have to make sure that we are patient in terms of our play, we have to set the tone and hopefully the crowd will be right behind us, given that it is a massive game.

"I went to watch them last week and had someone watch them on Saturday. We have paid them all the respect they deserve.

"They had a strong performance against us the last time. I thought we dominated the game, we just couldn't get that goal.

"We found them hard to break down and I am probably anticipating the same situation tomorrow night.

"So everyone has to be patient, the crowd also. It is a tough game for us, one that we want to win.

"All the pressure is on us and we have to make sure we handle it."