Dark Blues gaffer already faces new season dilemma

in the next two league matches before he returned to the middle of the park.

However, Dundee’s form would fall off a cliff, not just for wins, but goals as the Dark Blues went five straight games without scoring.

As a midfielder, he played his part in the first league win of the season, beating Aberdeen 2-1 at Dens and grabbing an assist for Luke McCowan’s winner.

But as the season wore on, a serious injury to Lee Ashcroft left Dundee short of options at centre-back.

McGhee, as ever, was happy to step in to help the team.

He would play 41 times in all competitions last term, sometimes with the armband, and mainly as a centre-back.

That’s a position he can play but a lack of aerial dominance let him down at times in the top flight.

So, if Bowyer wants McGhee back in his midfield, how does he get him in there?

Adam may have departed but there is still the experience of Paul McGowan and the youthful potential of Max Anderson and Josh Mulligan.

Then there’s Shaun Byrne who has been a key man at the base of the midfield since signing three years ago.

And Jay Chapman, too, who we really haven’t seen much of in a Dundee shirt.

It’s a crowded part of the squad and whether Bowyer sees McGhee as a midfield option remains to be seen. However, Dundee are short of full-backs.

They have two very good firstchoice options in Cammy Kerr and Jordan Marshall but any cover left at the end of last season.

Christie Elliott and Declan McDaid were released after relegation, meaning that’s an area the Dark Blues will be looking to bolster.

McGhee certainly brings a useful option as cover if needed but pushing either of those two out of a starting berth when fit is a tall ask.

As always, tagging someone as a utility player brings many options for a manager but also a quandary – where do you use him to get the best out of the player and to improve the team?

For the player, there will be some doubt, too – will Jordan McGhee’s time as a box-to-box midfielder be over or will he get another chance to take the Championship by storm?

Boss Gary Bowyer will know Jordan McGhee is a valuable asset.