Dens gaffer Neil hurting after exit

DUNDEE boss Neil McCann is still hurting today in the wake of Saturday’s cup exit at the hands of Motherwell.

The Dark Blues went down 2-0 to the Steelmen in a last-16 tie at Dens Park with a pair of defensive errors ultimately costing the Dee progress.

Neil showed his frustration as he remonstrated with disgruntled fans both during and after the match and admits the defeat is still a cause of some considerable pain.

“I’m hurt when we don’t do well,” he said.

“I’m as passionate as any fan out there.

“They’re making their voices heard, I want them to support us but I can understand they’re frustrated.

“I can see why they’re getting upset at some things but I want them to get behind us and the majority of people do here.”

Craig Tanner opened the scoring for the visitors after half an hour as Dee keeper Elliott Parish allowed the winger’s left-footed strike to escape his clutches.

Another defensive car crash caused ’Well’s second on 55 minutes as Parish raced out to clear a Carl McHugh lobbed pass and Kevin Holt conspired to head into the gaping net.

Neil branded them “joke goals” and didn’t hold back i n his assessment of the Dundee display.

He added: “They’re absolutely joke goals to be honest, they shouldn’t be in our net.

“It’s not just a couple of defensive errors which has separated the teams, when you look at the chances we’ve missed you can’t just hang out the defence and the goalkeeper to dry.

“We’ve missed some six or seven really good chances, free headers, balls bouncing in the box.

“There was no composure, no making their keeper (Trevor) Carson work, which is criminal.

“The goals we’ve lost are shocking, gifts to Motherwell.

“We’ve played some brilliant football, created some amazing chances but we’ve coughed up cheap goals.

“We’re not taking those chances and that’s the concerning thing for me but we have to keep working.”

Thankfully for Neil they have the chance to bounce back against Kilmarnock in the league tomorrow.

“We’re down at Kilmarnock tomorrrow, they’ve been exceptional down there so we know it’s going to be a tough game,” he went on.

“It’s a massive week ahead this game is a huge one for us.”

Gavin Rae was inducted into the Dundee FC Hall of Fame at a dinner at the Invercarse Hotel, Dundee. He’s pictured with John Nelms.