Don’t allow Celts to ruin good feelings

SUNDAY’S performance, if not the final result, seems to have put a little spring back in Dundee’s step — the key tonight is to at least keep that intact after the final whistle.

It wasn’t exactly a world-beating display from the Dark Blues in the 1-1 home draw with Hearts.

However, it did deserve to beat the Jambos and put an end to the run of three straight league defeats and five on the bounce at Dens Park.

What it did have was plenty of verve and vigour about it and an attacking intent that’s been lacking lately.

They managed to get the loss of a customary poor goal out of the way nice and early and went on to dominate much of the rest of the game with Hearts quite happy to take the point. Roarie Deacon was the spark and had a terrific first half, setting up the equaliser for Sofien Moussa.

I’d been in my sickbed for the week running up to the game and have to admit I thought the virus was making me hallucinate when the big man popped up to score his first league goal from open play.

It happened, though, and it was a great goal from the Tunisian as he battled Christophe Berra out of the way to score.

That’ll, hopefully, boost his confidence and he and Simon Murray can continue to build a decent partnership together.

The defence, too, has looked in good nick the past two games.

That’s been thanks to the impact of skipper Darren O’Dea.

I have to admit I wasn’t sure he could muscle back in to the team with Steven Caulker and Josh Meekings ahead of him but playing in the middle of the three seems to suit perfectly.

The lack of mobility, which hindered him at the start of the season, is less obvious with cover around him and his ability to defend and lead has been impressive. He’s recovered from the knock he picked up on Sunday and will be a big player tonight.

As for Caulker, if the club are turning down million-pound offers then they must be in decent financial health — which is a good sign.

Whether they can keep him beyond the summer is questionable with big money around but the situation is winwin for the club.

Let’s hope they’re still feeling cheery after 90 minutes tonight.

Dundee midfielder Paul McGowan tries to open up the Hearts defence during the 1-1 draw at Dens on Sunday.