Fontaine fit and ready to fight for Dee’s cause

DUNDEE defender Liam Fontaine is relishing the chance to show he can still cut it at Premiership level.

The former Bristol City, Hibs and Ross County defender turns 36 next month but insists he’s nowhere near finished.

Fontaine stepped in as replacement for injured centreback Lee Ashcroft in the last two games, playing his part in two victories and two clean sheets.

And he played an integral role in last season’s promotion run that saw the Dark Blues step up to the top division through the play-offs.

This season, game time has been more limited but Fontaine is determined to make the most of his chance right now.

He said: “You get a lot of clubs these days who focus on using younger players.

“But us older ones can still do it. You know yourself as a player if you are past it.

“I don’t feel anywhere near past it, I feel I am still as fit as anything and my body is in good condition.

“But I appreciate it every time I take the field in a training session because there are lads of my age, I grew up with and played with, who had to stop years ago.

“I have had my fair share of injuries throughout my career, including a couple of bad ones.

“The last one was rupturing an Achilles at Ross County.

“It was great to get back from that but every time I take the field now whether it is a training session, coming off the bench against Motherwell or getting back into the team, I just appreciate every minute I am out there.”

One of Fontaine’s five league starts this term came against today’s opponents Rangers.

Playing a back three, the Dark Blues earned plaudits for their performance despite losing out 1-0 to a Joe Aribo goal.

Though the 35-year-old accepts heading to Ibrox will be a difficult task, he says that display can give Dundee confidence heading to the home of the champions.

“We are under no illusions that it is going to be tough going down there,” Fontaine added.

“When we played them here, they obviously won the game but I thought it was quite close.

“We have to bring the same attitude we had that day to Ibrox.

“Yes, they are the champions and will get the respect they are due but at the end of the day, it is a game of football and you have to go and impose yourself.

“You never know what can happen – we have to go there and just believe.

“I think we have enough players in the team who have played down there and know what to expect.

“The atmosphere is going to be electric and these are the games you look forward to playing in.

“We are on a good mini-run at the moment, so there is no saying we can’t go there and get a decent result.

“We just have to believe. As I said, the game here was close and we missed a penalty that day.

“I felt we deserved a point from that game but we now look forward to going to Ibrox.”

Joe Aribo scored Rangers’ winner at Dens.