I COULDN’T KERR MORE
Local lad Cammy devoted to Dens
Promotion and relegation. Six different managers and a plethora of team-mates.
From being Player of the Year to frozen out in the Dens Park stand.
Cammy Kerr has just about seen it all at Dundee since breaking into the first-team squad almost nine years ago.
It feels like he’s been at his boyhood club a lot longer.
Yet incredibly, the Dark Blues full- back is still only 26. And despite the highs and lows, he’s still there as an integral part of James McPake’s side.
He actually played alongside McPake before playing under him.
Kerr is a local boy who came through the club’s youth ranks while being a season- ticket holder at Dens.
And that’s why establishing themselves as a proper top-flight club again means so much to him.
Kerr admits it can be tough living in the city after a derby defeat or dropping out of the league. But the highs, like getting into the Premiership again and putting smiles back on fans’ faces, make it all worthwhile.
As Kerr prepared to face Celtic on Tayside today, he reflected on his rollercoaster ride.
He said: “The night we went up was one of the best of my life.
“I came to this stadium when I was young and dreamed of all the things that could happen – but you never think they actually will. That night in May, seeing everyone together, it was great.
“And getting back to the Premiership, playing in big games like against Celtic, that’s what you want as a footballer.
“I don’t really get time to think about the other side. Most of the boys stay away from Dundee, they get away from it.
“For me, yeah it can be difficult at times but you are used to it. You half expect to get abuse even if you go out for a coffee in the city.
“It can be a Dundee United fan, or even a Dundee fan, giving you a hard time!
“But as a local lad, it works both ways. And I see a bit of abuse as part and parcel of being a player.
“I’ve survived it long enough, I’m 26 now.
“There was only one time I was close to leaving under Jim McIntyre when I ended up out of the squad and in the stand.
“But that’s the rollercoaster as a player, so many ups and downs. You just have to grit your teeth and get on with it.
“I was a team-mate of James McPake here before he got the job. Him, Paul McGowan and Darren O’Dea tried to harden me up as a young player.
“They gave me lessons off the pitch and used to wind me up a lot. It took a bit of getting used to when he became gaffer, he’ll admit to that.
“It’s a professional relationship now, which is natural now.
“But I feel for him when he gets a bit of stick. You fight for the club and yourself. But you want to fight for the manager as well.”
Kerr is one of McPake’s trusted older heads in the dressing room alongside the likes of Charlie Adam, Liam Fontaine, Jordan McGhee and McGowan.
But he’s also a mentor for talented young players like Max Anderson (20) who is excelling in the first team.
Kerr said: “This group of kids is the best I’ve worked with.
“We have the older pros then the younger ones coming through, all of whom are willing to learn. It’s a great wee mix.
“Max is as good a kid as I’ve seen here. Everyone sees what he does on the pitch but it’s the way he is off it as well. He’s quiet, levelheaded and wants to learn.
“You see young boys in the game getting in with the wrong crowd and too many think it comes easy – but not the boys here.
“I try to help the young boys here, do a bit extra with them and lead by example.”
Next year will see a testimonial for Kerr’s service.
He said: “I’ve got a few ideas. It’s a long shot but I’d love to play against Manchester United.”