Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Johnson nets cup progress
Debutant Danny fires Dee into Betfred Dons match
THE last few seasons have been a real slog for Dundee but loyal Dees will be hoping yesterday’s 1-0 Betfred Cup win over Inverness is a sig n of things to come.
It was well known when James McPake took on the role of manager permanently, changing the feeling around the club was right up there on his to-do list.
However, to have made serious inroads into achieving that before their league campaign has even kicked off is impressive.
Besides the obvious positive of progress to the last 16 as Group D winners, where they will face Aberdeen at Dens Park next month, the Dark Blues have plenty other reasons to be cheerful.
Four clean sheets from four cup matches is already a major improvement on last season’s horrific defensive record and bodes well for the league term ahead – which gets under way at Dunfermline on Friday night.
So far, the new-look Dundee seem solid, organised and always with a chance of winning games.
A large part of that has been down to James’ new boys like Jordon Forster, Shaun Byrne and Jordan Marshall – who have all served to steady the ship.
Latest arrival Danny Johnson got off the mark against Caley and could be their goal getter.
Indeed, it is not only the fresh faces making their presence felt, goalkeeper Jack Hamilton appears transformed, with Paul McGowan and Cammy Kerr shining.
And, back fit, key men Josh Meekings and Andrew Nelson look set to play a big part after missing chunks of last term.
What also can’t be understated is James’ willingness to play talented youngsters like Finn Robertson. At just 16, the Dundonian did not look out of place throughout pre-season nor their Betfred campaign.
What his and others’ involvement will be in the year ahead remains to be seen. However, it has given fans a tangible link to their club again and a sense of pride at seeing local lads pull on the dark blue.
As important as reclaiming their i dentity is, as ever i n football, results are paramount.
And yesterday’s success against ICT at Dens was Dundee’s most impressive and important yet under James.
A ding-dong battle i n the opening exchanges settled down with the Dee having the best early chances. Former Motherwell hitman Johnson tested away goalkeeper Mark Ridgers on nine minutes as he had to tip a rifled effort over the bar.
From the resulting corner, Robertson curled narrowly wide before it was ICT’s turn to press.
James Keatings was the tormentor-in-chief as Hamilton denied his volley on 10 minutes before Meekings cleared. Just a minute later the former Dundee United man was threatening again, this time it was Jordan McGhee who made a magnificent last-ditch challenge to clear.
Keatings tested Hamilton once more with a deflected effort but the 25-year-old stooped well to deal with the effort.
Johnson may have blazed over with the goal gaping on 23 minutes but he made no mistake 10 minutes later as he picked up on Byrne’s reverse pass before firing beyond Ridgers – who should have done better.
In the second period, Marshall could have made it two on 57 minutes but saw his stinging drive saved well by Ridgers.
A minute later, McGowan rolled back the years and skipped past what seemed the entire Inverness defence before poking wide.
Sub Josh Todd and Byrne saw efforts charged down on 81 minutes before the former sliced over in added time.
The Dark Blues saw out the match to progress in the cup but, more importantly, head for East End Park on Friday evening full of confidence ahead of their league opener.