PAUL Hartley has turned down the chance to hold formal talks with Cardiff City and will concentrate on breaking Dundee's 10-year derby hoodoo against Dundee United on Sunday.
The English Championship club identified the highly rated manager as the man they wanted to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who parted company with the club yesterday after eight months in charge.
City made contact with John Nelms, Dundee's director of football operations, but, after some soul-searching and weighing up of the pros and cons, Hartley made it clear he was committed to Dundee.
The Dens Park club have not beaten United since November 2004 and go into the sold-out match without injured trio Kevin Thomson, Peter MacDonald and Willie Dyer.
United are unbeaten in six games but Hartley senses a litle piece of history could be written.
"You can, yes," said the manager. "Somebody might do something special on the day to win the game. I think you are remembered for a long time after that. Hopefully our players can go and perform the way they have done since the start of pre-season and maintain the form they have shown.
"I scored three for Hearts in a Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs at Hampden. It was probably one of the biggest Edinburgh derbies for years at that time. To get three goals was fantastic and you are remembered for that; hopefully some of our players are remembered from Sunday for putting on a good performance and show.
"The bragging rights for supporters are massive. We think we are in the best shape for a number of years. I think we have a squad on the park who can compete with the best teams."
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