Brian loves being close to the action; DUNDEE v DUNDEE UTD.

BRIAN IRVINE has been playing this game a long, long time but had never tasted the excitement of a city derby before this season.

Sure, Aberdeen called games against Dundee and Dundee United derby fixtures, but when you are 70 miles from your closest rivals the intensity of the occasion tends to become diluted.

Irvine switched from Pittodrie to Dens Park last season and helped Dundee win the promotion that guaranteed he'd sample REAL derby football this term.

And in the two games Irvine has played for Dundee against Dundee United, the former Scotland centre- half has been left in no doubt that this is the real deal.

He said: "Being so far away leaves Aberdeen isolated and I don't think there is any doubt that a derby match between two clubs from the same city is more intense as far as the fans are concerned.

"Perhaps it's even more so in Dundee, because we have two teams playing in the same street!."

Irvine has never experienced a build-up to a game like the last Tayside derby.

He said: "It was quite odd to turn up at Dens Park then WALK the 200 yards down the road to Tannadice. We wandered down to the ground among the fans before the game."

Irvine and his mates were still laughing at the end of that match, having won it through a late James Grady goal.

They also drew 2-2 with United at Dens in the first derby of the season and a win today can stretch their advantage over their rivals to seven points.

Dundee are unlikely to make many changes. Boss Jocky Scott is concerned about the fitness of keeper Rab Douglas, but he will start.

United will find themselves at the bottom of the Division if they lose today and Dunfermline beat Hearts.

Tannadice boss Paul Sturrock is desperate for a victory and said: "This has become an even more vital game for us. I would hate to think it might develop into a two-horse race at the bottom."

United's Canadian defender Jason de Vos was voted man of the match in their 2-1 defeat by Rangers on Wednesday night but he wasn't in the mood to party.

The pounds 400,000 signing from Darlington is 25 today and hopes he'll feel more like celebrating tonight.

He didn't think he deserved his award after his part in the disaster that cost United the game when Rod Wallace grabbed a 90th minute winner for Rangers.

De Vos said: "It was a bad mistake on my part to let Jonatan Johansson get away from me and set up that goal."

United have a major worry over striker Alex Mathie.

Dundee and Dundee United have issued a joint appeal for calm, in the light of crowd trouble during the clubs' previous meetings. Offenders could earn life bans from Dens Chief Executive Peter Marr or United chairman Jim McLean.