Next three games huge for McCann

DUNDEE’S next three games may well be the biggest of Neil McCann’s fledgling managerial career — pitting him against some of the most experienced opposite numbers in the country.

With his side toiling on a run of five consecutive defeats, Neil has his work cut out to revive the team’s fortunes — and coming up against two, possibly three, managers who have plied their trade at the highest level won’t make that any easier.

With Kilmarnock and then Rangers coming to Dens Park before a trip to the Highlands to face Ross County, Dundee’s campaign could quickly dive into a desperate battle against the drop.

Pitting his wits against a manager with the experience and track record of Steve Clarke, who managed West Brom in the Premier League and was assistant to Jose Mourinho and Kenny Dalglish, winning every major English honour in that time, will not be simple.

By the time Rangers come a-knocking, they should have appointed a new manager and you’d expect them to go with an experienced man with an impressive CV, while County’s Owen Coyle got Burnley into the Premier League in his time at Turfmoor.

The problem for Dundee is that both those new managers have overseen a real bounce in results — leaving the Dark Blues to languish in bottom spot, two points behind Partick and three behind Saturday’s opponents Killie.

In itself that doesn’t present an insurmountable task.

However, with the form shown lately by the Dark Blues and tendency to give away soft goals combined with Killie’s excellent recent away record, it looks tough.

Clarke may well come to Dens knowing that if his side keep things tight at the back, the chance will come at the other end to come away with a victory.

Rangers look an unknown quantity just now without knowing who will be in charge but you’d expect some sort of bounce while County have already got theirs, Coyle guiding the Staggies to three wins and a draw from six games.

For Neil, coming up against managers with these kind of quality track records will be why he made the leap into management.

This, though, is where he finds out if he can cut it because his Dundee team need points and they need them quickly.

Dundee boss Neil McCann has to find a way of getting his side out of their losing run, starting on Saturday.