The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Fixture move helped ICT, says McCann
McCann criticises scheduling of Inverness fixture
Neil McCann believes moving his side’s Premiership match to accommodate Dundee United’s play-off game handed Inverness an advantage on Wednesday night.
Dundee were originally due to play on Tuesday evening but because the Tangerines were also set to meet Falkirk at Tannadice at the same time live on BT Sport, the Dark Blues’ game was postponed for 24 hours.
By the time that match kicked off, Dundee knew their Premiership safety was assured following Hamilton’s defeat at Ross County with the result also meaning the Caley Jags could stave off automatic relegation if they won against McCann’s men.
A fired-up Inverness raced into an early and unassailable 2-0 lead but the interim Dundee boss insists the crunch games should all have taken place at the same time.
McCann said last night: “I have a wee bit of a gripe because our game was changed.
“We were supposed to be playing on the Tuesday and it was changed to the Wednesday.
“Now, we are the Premiership side and we have changed to accommodate a Championship play-off. They are trying to get into our league.
“That result (Hamilton’s) helped us because we knew we were safe but that also had a big bearing on how Inverness came out.
“Nobody should have an advantage and all the games should be played on one evening.
“I know there is the television argument and I work for Sky so that might seem hypocritical.
“But sometimes you can see from the other side of the fence once you are there. That could have been a subconscious advantage to Inverness as well.”
Neil McCann believes moving his side’s Premiership match to accommodate Dundee United’s play-off game handed Inverness an advantage on Wednesday night.
Dundee were originally due to play on Tuesday evening but because the Tangerines were also set to meet Falkirk at Tannadice at the same time live on BT Sport, the Dark Blues’ game was postponed for 24 hours.
By the time that match kicked off, Dundee knew their Premiership safety was assured following Hamilton’s defeat at Ross County with the result also meaning the Caley Jags could stave off automatic relegation if they won against McCann’s men.
A fired-up Inverness raced into an early and unassailable 2-0 lead but the interim Dundee boss insists all the crunch games should all have taken place at the same time.
McCann said last night: “I have a wee bit of a gripe because our game was changed.
“We were supposed to be playing on the Tuesday and it was changed to the Wednesday.
“Now, we are the Premiership side and we have changed to accommodate a Championship play-off. They are trying to get into our league.
“That result (Hamilton’s) helped us because we knew we were safe but that also had a big bearing on how Inverness came out. Nobody should have an advantage and all the games should be played on one evening.
“I know there is the television argument and I work for Sky so that might seem hypocritical.
“But sometimes you can see from the other side of the fence once you are there.
“That could have been a subconscious advantage to Inverness as well.”
Dundee have Inverness’s destiny once more in their own hands with the Highland side hoping they can do them a favour when the Dark Blues travel to face Hamilton tomorrow.
However, McCann is just fully focused on his own side.
He added: “There are a few bumps and bruises so I could make changes.
“It is a hard turnaround when you have a short space of time. Hamilton have had the luxury of an extra day.”
The Hamilton game will mark the end of McCann’s original five-game remit and as has been the case previously, he still will not say one way or the other what the future holds for next season.
He said: “I want us to finish on a high with a win.”