TRISTAN HARPER is on his guard this weekend as high-flying Clan try to avoid a shock against lowly Hull and Dundee.

Seventh-placed Stingrays travel to Braehead Arena on Saturday on EIHL duty before Ryan Finnerty's men head to Tayside to take on bottom markers the Stars on Sunday.

Many will see the double-header as being an easy weekend for the league leaders, who have won more games this season than both their opponents put together.

However, Harper is less than convinced. He told SportTimes: "This weekend we may be playing teams from lower down the league, but nobody likes to lose and we know both Hull and Dundee will make it tough for us.

"People will say it should be a walk in the park for us, but it will be a tough, physical weekend. We just need to be ready, which I'm sure we will be.

"We've had a goal in mind to get as many points as we can. It is about seeing that through to the end.

"It's my second season with the Clan and I'm enjoying every moment of it. It makes it more special playing for a Scottish team.

"Normally sides from up here have been the underdogs in the Elite League, so it's nice to be on top of the table flying the flag."

Harper is also looking to put on a show when he returns to his native Dundee.

The 26-year-old forward grew up in the City of Discovery and is excited at the prospect of putting on a performance in front of some familiar faces.

The former Stars man said: "Family and friends always come and watch me when we play in Dundee. It's always nice to have those guys there.

"It's an incentive to go out and win knowing so many people could be there that I know.

"I'm also friendly with Sam McCluskey [Dundee Stars defenceman] so it's good to go up against him. It's all good fun."

Clan are now homing in on their first title win in their history with just 16 games left of a 52-match season.

Last year they made they play-off finals weekend for the first time ever, despite finishing in fifth place.

As they defend a three-point advantage at the top of the standings on Saturday, Harper is content things are going according to plan this time round.

He said: "We have the incentive of knowing we made it to the play-off finals last year.

"We had the goal of wanting to win the league last season, which sadly didn't happen, but it's the same aim for us this year. I guess we can feed off that and try and win it."

The Scot added: "The furthest I've been at any stage was to the final weekend. I made it there with Hull. But I've never won the Challenge Cup, the Conference or the league. I think this year we have a real chance of doing that if we stay focused."