McCann hails Dees battlers
Moussa leveller boosts Dees as they gear up for Old Firm double-header
NEIL McCANN last night saluted his Dundee players for refusing to crumble – then declared them ready for their daunting doubleheader in Glasgow.
The Dark Blues boss had nothing but praise for his
SOFIEN MOUSSA’S crucial equaliser helped ease Dundee’s relegation fears slightly as they came from behind to draw with the Jambos.
The third-bottom Taysiders brought a timely end to their costly three-game losing streak which had raised alarm bells over their Premiership safety.
It had all threatened to go horribly wrong again for the Dark Blues who fell behind to Ross Callachan’s whirlwind second-minute opener before Moussa struck to move them seven points clear of bottom club Ross County.
But they would have been celebrating their first league win at Dens Park this year had they kept their cool in front of goal.
However, their battling spirit will have pleased boss Neil McCann who was on the touchline after appealing his two-match ban for a post-match spat against St Johnstone.
It’s something he needed to see ahead of their daunting Old Firm double-header – starting with a trip to Celtic
Park on Wednesday before they take on Rangers this weekend.
But having lost all five of their home league matches since the turn of the year they went into this clash knowing it was their last realistic chance of securing a much-needed win before facing the Glasgow giants.
Dundee knew a victory would see them leapfrog Hamilton and Hearts’ dismal away form must have boosted their belief.
Heading into this visit to Tayside, Craig Levein’s Jambos had only won four away matches this season.
But the Tynecastle men got off to a blistering start by taking the lead inside two minutes. Callachan was given space to run through and sweep a left-foot finish into keeper Elliot Parish’s far corner after being set up nicely by Marcus Godinho. However, Dundee’s response was positive. Roarie Deacon threaded a pass through to Simon Murray and he seemed certain to equalise as he homed in on goal but Jambos keeper Jon McLaughlin raced off his line to bravely block. The on-loan Hibs striker then had another chance a few minutes later from Moussa’s through pass but this time the Dundonian shot wildly off target. It wasn’t all Dark Blues’ pressure though and in 15 minutes Steven Naismith showed good trickery to lay the ball off for Don Cowie before the midfielder’s ambitious curling shot was fisted away by Parish. Goal hero Callachan was booked by ref Kevin Clancy a minute later for a hefty challenge on Paul McGowan before Kyle Lafferty was cautioned for a dive designed to try to win a spot-kick from Dundee skipper Darren O’Dea after 25 minutes.
Hearts should have made it 2-0 minutes later when Godinho’s weighted pass was inch-perfect for Northern Ireland striker Lafferty to run on to but his finish from 12 yards surprisingly lacked conviction and Parish was allowed to gather.
A few seconds later the Dee broke swiftly to level matters. Deacon used his pace to break free down the right and Moussa capitalised on his cross to the far post as he bundled the ball into the net from close range.
It was no more than Dundee deserved although they breathed a sigh of relief after Cowie’s 36th-minute effort struck the side-netting from Godinho’s rolled pass.
Dundee suffered a setback early in the second half when former Celtic stopper O’Dea was forced off after picking up a hamstring injury and was replaced by Genseric Kusunga.
However, McCann’s men didn’t let it derail them and they began the second period the livelier side.
Their energetic display almost reaped the ultimate reward for the Dark Blues as they came agonisingly close to taking the lead in 56 minutes.
Jon Aurtenetxe’s corner was knocked down by Steven Caulker and Paul McGowan’s header was goalbound until Naismith swept it off the line.
Dundee threw everything at Hearts in search of a winner with both Murray and Glen Kamara coming close at the end.
But they had to settle for a point as the Jambos headed back home to Edinburgh having all but secured their top-six spot.