Dundee in better Nick with Neil in charge

NICK ROSS admits the arrival of Neil McCann has revitalised him and the Dundee team after finding it difficult to remain positive on the sidelines under Paul Hartley.

Ross had only made 10 starts this season before McCann arrived but has featured in both victories since, starting against Motherwell and coming off the bench against Kilmarnock.

And the former Inverness midfielder admits the clean slate since Hartley’s departure last month has helped reinvigorate himself and others.

“No-one can relax and say they are guaranteed a place in the team because it’s a new manager and he doesn’t really know all the boys personally and doesn’t have any favourites or anything like that,” the 25-year-old said.

“It’s been frustrating for me because I played some games and got taken out and then got thrown in and then taken out for a few months.

“You don’t get on the pitch, which is the most degrading thing, you can’t keep yourself going.

“Mentally this year it has been really tough for me to stay positive because you are watching the game thinking: ‘How am I going to get on?

“There is no scenario that I am going to get on. I need someone to get injured and then someone else to get injured or a sending off or something’.

“It’s not a good mindset to be in but the new manager has come in now and everyone is confident and positive.”

Dundee will secure their Ladbrokes Premiership status today if they beat Ross County at Dens Park and if Hamilton’s clash at home to Motherwell does not end in a draw.

Ross said: “It’s been some turnaround. Obviously we were disappointed for the old manager, we maybe felt we had let him down a wee bit with some performances.

“But the new manager has come in and been very positive and given us a lot of confidence.

“The way we are playing is maybe more suited to us and what the fans want to see as well.

“We have got the benefits of that and everyone is buying into it.”