Humble Claudio was even better off pitch – Barry

A DUNDEE legend in his own right, Barry Smith captained the club for nine years before returning as manager in 2010.

During that time he saw some of the best and some of the worst times in the history of the club.

Among the best, however, was playing alongside some top-quality team-mates.

And one name that stands out is Claudio Caniggia.

Barry said: “I grew up watching guys like him play inWorld Cups, so I feel really fortunate to have played with Caniggia.

“What made him stand out is, no matter how much he had done in the game before, he was so humble and had great humility.

“What stood out for me is how he took time to help out the younger lads in training. Guys like Steven Milne and Graham Bayne owe a lot to him.

“That was just the type of guy he is, very humble, no airs and graces and he took a lot of time with younger players that a lot of other players wouldn’t.

“The first time he came in, he immediately made sure he was part of the team.

“He didn’t j ust stand around, he got involved straight away.

“Claudio didn’t want to be a superstar or anything, just wanted to be part of a team. His attitude was superb.

“A lot of players could take a lesson from him. Every day he knew he still had to work hard.

“I remember him as much off the park as on it because he was so good on the training ground.”

Barry had another name he’d stick into the mix from his time at Dundee.

“Georgi Nemsadze was the most technically gifted player I played with,” he added.

“I knew when I won the ball, I could give it to him no problem.

“I was very lucky to play alongside him.

“I have to say, those guys did what they did because there were other guys in the team doing their jobs.

“Guys like Lee Wilkie, Gavin Rae and me were the workhorses for the team and we allowed the players with all the flair to go and do their stuff.”

As manager, Barry had to deal with some of the darkest times at Dens as the club headed into a second administration – the people at the club, however, managed to turn that time into one of the best at Dundee with the ‘Deefiant’ season.

He added: “I do believe if the team hadn’t stayed up someone would have shut the doors at Dens.

“Collectively everyone responded, the coaching staff, office staff, players and definitely the fans rallied around the club.

“Though it was a really negative time, we turned it into a positive one which then led to promotion the following year.

“I don’t like to single anybody out but Robert Douglas played a massive part.

“It’s difficult to say just how much he helped gelling the players together.

“All the players and their wives and families were invited round to his all the time and that really generated the team spirit.

“He really made sure the team was a real team and that’s not even talking about what he did on the park.”

Claudio Caniggia played 25 times for Dundee.