Salaries slashed for reds
massive part in reviving my Dundee career.
“I was very close to going. The club wanted me out and I was getting punted to teams.
“I hold no grudges about that. The club didn’t think I was going to feature, I was surplus to requirements.
“My wage could have been used elsewhere.
“
I wasn’t part of the last manager’s plans so he tried to move me on and that’s fine.
“But I’ve been at Dundee for a long time now and felt I could be very valuable to the team. I backed myself to show that and I think I have justified myself. “I give a lot of credit to myself because I’ve had to do a lot of training on my own. “Only 18 players can be used in a squad and I wasn’t in it. “So I had to do a lot off my own back. “When my chance came I’d hardly kicked a ball. But the reason that I was ready was because I’d kept myself right.
“I was right mentally as well and took my chance.
“I try to be an example to young players. I say to them that they must push for a place.
“This was my turn to be in that position. I did the right things and I was ready to go.”
Dundee might still be bottom of the Premiership pile but under McIntyre they’re now unbeaten in three and are ready for anything Rangers throw at them this afternoon.
The midweek hammering of Hamilton has boosted confidence ahead of a survival battle and O’Dea feels Dundee are building momentum.
He said: “It was a great feeling after the game on Wednesday night.
“We’ve been working really hard with the manager who has brought in his own ideas, so to come away with a really convincing win was great for the mood of everyone at the club.
“It was a really good night but the win’s only the tip of the iceberg.
“There’s a hell of a lot more work to do and we need more points.
“Our form at Dens hasn’t been good enough for an ex tended period of time.
“If we want to be successful we need to have strong home form.
“Rangers are a good team with top players and the boys will have to be at their very best to beat them.
“But I’d like to think that anyone coming to Dens now will know they’re going to get a tough game.
“With our support behind us we can make it difficult for them. We want to keep this run going.” Scottish Premiership and Europa League, with eight red cards in total, the latest being Al fredo Morelos’ send ing of f a ga ins t Aberdeen in midweek.
Hal liday admits it ’ s unacceptable and plans to take a lead role in a potential fine system, which he hopes would make players think twice about their actions.
Ahead of today’s clash with Dundee at Dens Park, he said: “I’d like to think I’ll be one of the guys leading it.
“James Tavernier is our captain and a very good leader. But you don’t need an armband to lead.
“We’ve got people who can give the changing room a shake.
“That’s what we need right now. When I look back at the red cards there have been games we’ve held on in.
“But ultimately there have been occasions when it has cost us points. It’s not good enough.
“So we’ve had to discuss what we’re going to do. What are we going to do about it the next time it happens?
“Something has to change We can’t leave it all down to the staff because they already do enough with us on discipline.
“Maybe it has to be taking money off players for getting red cards.
“We’ll have a chat about what can be done in-house.
“It’s a fine balance. You want boys to be competitive but you also want them to keep their control.
“The amount of red cards we’ve had this season is unacceptable.
Despite the recent ref controversy, Halliday has no complaints about his side’s punishments.
He said: “Some have been harsh but some justified. It’s definitely something we need to address.
“The gaf fer tr ied to address it last week - but our response was to let it get out of control again.
“It could cost us medals so it’s something we’re not happy about.”