Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Is Craig the final piece of Dee jigsaw?
COULD fit-again Craig Wighton be the key to Dundee moving from a side haunted by relegation to top-six challengers next season?
It’s a question that is somewhat premature because, right now, the Dark Blues’ priority remains ensuring they’re still in the top flight next term.
Saturday’s Dens Park win over St Johnstone was a big step towards achieving that.
There is still work to be done but another win and a couple of draws in the final four fixtures would probably be enough.
Manager Neil McCann doesn’t seem to have bothered working on such equations and has challenged his players to just keep winning.
That’s probably wise and keeps things simple. With a six-point gap to the bottom of the table and five to the relegation play-off place, Dundee know, if they are winning, no one down below can catch them.
If, hopefully when, the points to reach safety are gathered, it’s a sure bet the manager’s thoughts will turn to next season and making sure it’s not a third campaign in a row battling for survival.
For all the problems of the past few months, signs are there it needn’t be.
There is no question Dundee have a decent squad with good Premiershipquality players in most areas. Despite Sofien Moussa’s massive double at the weekend, one area that has definitely been lacking is goals.
In fairness to Moussa, he’s brought more to the team than just his goals.
His robust style keeps defenders honest and his work outside the penalty area gives those in deeper positions good options when getting the ball forward. Likewise, since his loan move from Hibs in January, Simon Murray has put in good work.
What they haven’t been able to do is score as often as has been needed. While the strikers may feel they could have done better, they would also be justified in pointing to a lack of chances created.
Dundee are a team that can pass the ball well from the back and keep