Nelms: We’re still in this for the long-term

PAINFUL as sacking a man he enjoyed a close working relationship with was, Dundee managing director John Nelms agrees the events of the past 24 hours show the strength of the long-term commitment he and fellow American Tim Keyes have for the club.

If multi-millionaire Keyes and Nelms, his man on the ground in Scotland, were simply here for a bit of fun only to bail out when things got tough, Paul Hartley would have been taking training today.

The fact he was dismissed yesterday is as tangible proof as you’ll get they’re here for the long haul. The intention to establish the Dark Blues as a club operating in the top six of the Premiership is as strong as ever.

Keyes is expected i n Dundee shortly but, while he’s been taking a keen interest in the team’s fortunes and will have an input into who the new manager will be, during his visit he’ll be focusing on plans for a new stadium near the city’s Camperdown Park.

And even if the unthinkable — relegation — happens, he’ll be forging ahead with that project. Nelms has made that crystal clear.

“We have a long-term commitment, we still have the plans and those plans are moving forward.

“Unfortunately, what’s happened is just part of the business we’re in. It’s not an easy part but it is part of it.

“Our long-term plan is the same, that hasn’t changed at all. We have already started planning for next year and to be plugging the holes we need to plug. We want to make the team better.”

Nelms has also clarified how his relationship with his close friend works and in doing so accepts full responsibility for the sacking of a man who was regarded as one of the best young managers around when he was appointed three years ago.

“It would have been difficult for Tim to make the decision (to sack Hartley) because he’s not here day-to-day so doesn’t have all the information.