Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Victory is a relief but Dee must build on it
I EXPECT there was a big sigh of relief in the home dressing-room at Dens Park on Saturday after Dundee finally got their first league win of the season.
It’s taken a lot longer than they would have liked but the main thing is they’ve got that much-needed three points under their belts.
And deservedly so — the only time they looked in trouble throughout the game against St Johnstone was pretty much of their own making.
Giving away two penalties isn’t great and showed there was a bit of desperation to hold on to the lead.
The longer and longer it took, the more the pressure was building and I think that just kicked in on Saturday.
The players realised how big the game was and how valuable the three points would be.
I’ve been in that position myself and you do feel anxious as a defender in those moments.
The thing that desperation or eagerness to get in and sort out danger shows is that these players really want it.
That’s something you want around your team — although giving away penalties every week would be taking it too far, of course!
What the Dark Blues need to do is make sure this is just the start.
Obviously carrying on with a result against Celtic tomorrow is going to be a tough, tough ask.
The least Dundee should be looking to do is put on a positive performance and make sure the good feeling built up after the win over St Johnstone isn’t wasted by a hammering at the hands of the champions.
Tomorrow night’s match might just suit Dundee, though.
Last season they did well against Celtic — it was always the games against Partick Thistle or Hamilton that let them down rather than against the bigger teams.
A result will be a bonus, I think even the biggest Dundee fan would realise that.
However, as a player sometimes you play your best stuff when things are against you.
It’s going to be a really difficult evening for the Dark Blues, Celtic are flying at the moment but carrying a good performance into what is a massive game at Kilmarnock next weekend must be the aim.