Boyce backs gaffer to repeat feat
BY ANTHONY HAGGERTY DISMAL Dundee may end up needing a miracle to beat the drop and it turns out they’ve got just the guy to provide it.
Jim McIntyre’s reign has begun with a whimper but keep the faith is the message from Liam Boyce who was awestruck by the gaffer’s midas touch in their remarkable revival at Ross County.
The parallels from 2014-15 are unavoidable. The Staggies had lost eight of their first nine league games and were hurtling headlong into the Championship.
McIntyre and No.2 Billy Dodds took the reins and turned it around, racking up a stunning run of 10 wins in their last 14 games to secure a ninth-placed finish.
The following season McIntyre proved it was no fluke by guiding County to League Cup glory – the club’s first domestic trophy – and highest top-flight finish of sixth.
Dundee have nine defeats in 10 Premiership games. But Boyce, now starring for Burton, is sure there will soon be something stirring at Dens.
The Northern Ireland striker said: “When I saw Jim had taken over at Dundee I was thrilled for him. There are huge comparisons between Dundee now and the Ross County team of 2014-15.
“County were rock bottom and our confidence was low and shattered. We were a shambles and getting hammered frequently.
“Then Jim and Billy came in September and it took a while to get going but what we achieved was miraculous.
“I can see history repeating itself at Dundee. Dundee could not have appointed a better manager than Jim at this time.
“I still call Jim gaffer as he had such an influence on my career.
“Dundee have a losing culture but Jim and Billy will change that. The biggest thing they brought to County was belief which they will be trying to instil at Dundee now.
“There will be an intensity about Dundee’s training and Jim will put the smile back on their faces. And mark my words they will get start getting results.”
It has been a baptism of fire for McIntyre, losing 4-0 to Livingston and 3-0 to Hearts in his first two games. Next up are champs Celtic at Dens but Boyce said: “Jim hasn’t had time to put his ideas across.
“With no game until next weekend that will be invaluable time to work with the squad.
“He’ll make them more solid and the first thing he’ll work on is to stop them losing lots of goals. I just can’t see Dundee going down.”