I AM HAPPY MY PLAYERS CARE – NEIL
NEIL McCANN isn’t bothered about straight-talking from his Dundee players – because he’d rather see passion than pity.
The Dark Blues suffered a sixth straight Premiership defeat in last weekend’s 3-0 collapse at home to Hibs which has left them rooted at the foot of the table.
It all kicked off after the latest defeat when Paul McGowan labelled them “weak-minded” while Crystal Palace loanee Ryan Inniss insisted they must discover some character soon or things will never improve.
McCann, who takes his side to Hamilton for today’s crunch clash, said: “I heard of the comments from Ryan and Paul. Does it concern me? It shows they care and that’s good.
“I don’t want them just whimpering away in a press conference and feeling sorry for themselves. I want passion and that’s what it was after Hibs. They were emotional because they know how hard we work.
“As a manager you work hard all week to prepare them and they go at it hammer and tongs, only to get no reward. Yet again the question was asked about coming up short with another defeat. But I’m happy with the players questioning each other.
“So I don’t have a problem with that or what they’ve said – and none of the boys had a problem with those two for being outspoken. We all believe we can do better. That’s clear with the results we’ve been getting.”
Hamilton’s Tom Taiwo reckons team-mate Mickel Miller could add to Dundee’s woes because he is a special talent with the X Factor.
Miller hit a double in last weekend’s 3-0 league win over St Mirren to take his tally to six for the campaign.
Taiwo said: “The boys feel every team from bottom to sixth are quite similar but the thing that separates those sides are the magicians, the players with the X Factor who can score goals.
“It is fair to say Mickel has been one of our best performers.”
Taiwo, however, warned Dundee won’t be written off. He said: “They are a wounded animal and will fight tooth and nail for their first victory.”