Irreplaceable? Not quite but it’s close

THIS week Dundee boss Paul Hartley has described attacker Greg Stewart as irreplaceable.

I’m tempted to say if I’ve told him once to stop exaggerating I’ve told him a million times.

But while I wouldn’t go quite as far as to use “irreplaceable”, the Dens Park gaffer does have a point.

Because against Dumbarton last Saturday, when his team were toiling for a time, once again Stewart showed his worth with a hat-trick

And even in shock defeat at Peterhead the other night he was Dundee’s star man with another goal.

That the 26-year-old scores regularly and comes up with almost as many assists is easy to see.

With a closer look, though, you see he has the knack of producing goals, or at least creating them, at vital times.

That’s why he is worth his weight in gold to the Dark Blues, particularly with Kane Hemmings gone.

It’s also why words like irreplaceable are used by his manager when he’s referring to him.

Thing is, such statements better not be 100% accurate because the day is coming when a way of replacing Stewart will have to be found.

Whether it is because of a large offer from a bigger outfit here or down south, or via freedom of contract next summer, his days are numbered.

Before we get too depressed by that thought, we should remember while it might seem like it when he does go, it won’t really be the end of the world.

No disrespect to an excellent performer who can be a joy to watch but better players than him have moved on and Dundee have found ways of filling the hole they’ve left.

And the one thing Stewart demonstrated against the Sons is that, however strong his desire is to go now, it will not prevent him doing a good job for Dundee while he remains there.

That in itself is a credit to the boy, because it would be very easy for him to down tools in a bid to force a move or simply be distracted by the speculation that’s been surrounding him for months now.

My guess is he will get his move sooner rather than later because a big bid will be forthcoming between now and the transfer window closing in a month or so.

When that happens Paul Hartley will have to find a way of replacing the irreplaceable.

Dundee manager Paul Hartley will have a hard job of filling the void left by Greg Stewart if the striker leaves Dens.