Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘McCann has given me new lease of life’
DUNDEE keeper Scott Bain says interim boss Neil McCann has given him a “new lease of life” and hopes the new gaffer stays on for the long haul.
The Dark Blues manager has made quite an impact on the park since taking over from Paul Hartley three weeks ago, with two wins from two games, including Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Kilmarnock.
The players, though, are enjoying life off the pitch, too, under McCann’s tutelage and Bain, for one, is disappointed there’s so little time left as things stand.
The goalie said: “He’s come in and he’s been really positive.
“He came in on his first day and told us what he was looking to achieve.
“Since then it’s been 100mph, training’s been competitive and sharp and boys look like they have a new lease of life.
“Hard work is the key and always will be at this stage of the season.
“You could see how much running the boys did to back one another up and fight for each other on Saturday.
“That was something that was missing and, since the new manager’s come in, it’s reinvigorated the players.
“For me, I’m enjoying my football right now – especially under the new manager.
“He’s given me a new lease of life and I’m upset there are only three games to go.”
It had been a long time coming for Bain and Dundee to celebrate a clean sheet, with their last shutout coming on December 31 in a 3-0 home win over St Johnstone.
Fourteen matches later it’s come at no better time than this stage of the season to start keeping teams out again.
The difference for Bain has simply been workrate from the entire team, starting from the front.
“I think if you watched us over the last two games, we’re a lot more organised as a team,” he added.
“Everyone knows t heir jobs, whether they’re playing, on the bench, or in the stand, everyone knows what their job is if they get on the pitch.
“I think that’s really the key to