Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Front men almost missed Dee’s win
DU NDE E boss Jim McIntyre has revealed he was close to being w it hout h is ent i re strikeforce for Saturday’s vital win at Livingston.
The Dark Blues picked up three points to move out of the bottom two in the Premiership for the first time since August and main strikers Andrew Nelson, Craig Curran and Kenny Miller all played their part.
However, it wasn’t until late on Friday the manager was sure they would be available.
“Nelson had not trained all week. He took a bang on the shin (against Kilmarnock) and it went into his calf,” said Jim.
“The swelling was in a deep compartment and we couldn’t shift it so he was a major doubt. The first day he trained was Friday.
“Kenny Miller missed two days with illness and Craig Curran was on the treatment table most of the week, as was Ethan Robson.
“It wasn’t looking great in terms of having to pick the same team again. I’m delighted they all pulled through and I thought we deserved the victory.”
Nelson did have to come off immediately after scoring a second-half equaliser when his leg seized up but he is expected to make Friday night’s clash with Hibs at Dens Park.
That game will represent a chance to move three points ahead of second-bottom Hamilton and stretch the gap to basement boys St Mirren to eight points.
Right now, Dundee are ahead of Accies on goal difference but, for Jim, it’s not where they are right now that counts.
“It’s nice but it doesn’t matter, as long as we are out the bottom two in May. There’s going to be ups and downs, I’ve said that before.
“The three teams are all battling. Look at St Mirren going up to Aberdeen and picking up a point.
“So, yes, it’s great for confidence but you could be back in it the next week.
“Until you start to put a run of games, a run of victories together, you have just got to concentrate on the next game.”
Livi, who played most of the 90 minutes with 10 men after Shaun Byrne’s early red card were left furious when they were denied a late penalty for a Jesse Curran tackle on Steven Lawless.
To rub salt in their wounds, referee Greg Aitken booked the home player for diving.