Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Haber gives Neil food for thought
DUNDEE striker Marcus Haber has played himself into contention for Saturday’s league trip to Patrick Thistle by getting back to scoring ways.
The Canadian international netted in Dundee U/20s Development League 1-1 draw against Falkirk at Montrose on Tuesday night.
Making a major step i n his comeback from a thigh i njury sustained in the Dark Blues’ 2-1 loss at Aberdeen in August, the big forward completed 75 minutes for the ‘wee’ Dee.
With Dundee struggling in front of goal, manager Neil McCann will surely be considering including Haber in the match-day squad. Neil also has choices in defence. The performance of centre-back Josh Meekings on his debut will have given the Dee manager food for thought.
The 24-year-old put the shackles on Celtic dangerman Leigh Griffiths as part of a defensive trio with stand-out youngster Jack Hendry and skipper Darren O’Dea.
It was a big call in the first instance for Neil to bring in Meekings after the display from the man he replaced, Kerr Waddell, against Hearts in the previous game.
Waddell started on the right of a three with Hendry and O’Dea and scored both goals, two towering headers from corners, as Dundee ran out 2-1 winners over the Tynecastle side.
The 19-year-old started on the bench at Celtic Park last Saturday and didn’t appear when Hendry came off hurt.
Mark O’Hara instead shifted in at right centre-half and, with Julen Etxabeguren and Kostadin Gadzhalov in full training, Neil now has seven first-team central defenders to choose from.
The Dundee boss was pleased with how his team performed against the champions and admits it was tough to pick his defence.
He said: “Jack was exceptional against Hearts playing as the middle man in a back three with Kerr to the right.
“I had decisions to make with my centre-backs.
“I felt Josh could step into the middle of the park and that would allow Jack’s pace to cope with Sinclair when we were l eaving ourselves a little bit open. “I thought Jack was fantastic. “When he went off it was a bit of devastating blow but big Mark O’Hara went back there and did great.”