Williams’ exit may not be last at Dens

WINGER Danny Williams has left Dundee after the two parties yesterday parted company — and he may not be the only mid-season departure.

The former Inverness man hasn’t featured for the Dark Blues since the middle of August.

Coming on as a substitute for the final 10 minutes in a 2-1 defeat at Pittodrie was his third showing of the season and the final of his 31 appearances for the club since joining from the Highland side in 2016.

Williams had shown up well in pre-season and looked set to be used as left-back Kevin Holt’s understudy for this season.

However, the signing of former Athletic Bilbao defender Jon Aurtenetxe took up that slot and the 29-year-old has left Dens Park in search of first-team football. And others may follow. The Dundee squad is fairly bloated with 26 bodies and with injuries lately few and far between, it has left a number of first-team players scratching around for appearances this season.

The call to play games and a January transfer window coming up will have some eyeing the exit door while boss Neil McCann will be looking to improve his pool of players where he can.

James Vincent arrived at Dens at the same time as Williams from Inverness CT after both signed pre-contract agreements.

He hasn’t been seen on the pitch for the first team since the last time Dundee faced Saturday’s opponents Kilmarnock back on September 23, meaning he’s missed out on the last six matches.

Kosta Gadzhalov is another who hasn’t had a look-in this campaign despite signing a new contract in the summer.

The Bulgarian centre-back, who was lined up to join Raith Rovers on loan a few weeks back before that fell through, is keen to see top-team action.

Fellow centre-half Julen Etxabeguren is working back from a long-term injury, as is James McPake, and loan moves for them might be needed to get them back to match sharpness.

Aurtenetxe, meanwhile, is only on a short-term deal till January and, with less than 45 minutes to his name in a Dundee shirt, might not be keen on sticking around.

Midfielder Nicky Low is another with an unclear future. The midfielder has returned from a successful loan deal at Irish side Derry City and whether he fits in to the manager’s plans remains to be seen.

Danny Williams saw action in pre-season games against the likes of Brechin (above) but was hardly seen since and has now left Dundee.