SHAUGHN OF THE DREAD

Doc is bracing himself for long period without Dee captain Joe

- SCOTT BURNS

DUNDEE will have to go into their final European push without Joe Shaughnessy.

The skipper suffered a significant knee injury in last week's draw with Rangers.

Manager Tony Docherty has already written Shaughnessy off for the season and will find out later this week how long the stopper will be sidelined.

It is a blow to Dundee as they kick-off their top-six campaign against Celtic on Sunday.

Docherty said: "He is not great at all. He has what looks like a significant knee injury.

"How long-term we don't really know yet but he definitely won't play again this season.

"Joe is set to see the specialist at the end of the week and we will have a clearer idea of how long he is going to be out then.

"He came in on Tuesday to see our doctor and the boys. He is gutted, as you'd expect. It looked like such an innocuous challenge.

"It's a blow for Joe and ourselves. Joe is our captain and has played every minute. We are all gutted for him."