The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Wighton: Time for me to man up for Dark Blues
Young striker determined to force his way into McCann’s plans
Craig Wighton doesn’t turn 20 until the end of this month but the Dundee forward has admitted that this is the season that he has to “man up”.
The Scotland under-21 international is determined that in 2017-18 he will establish himself as a first team regular in the dark blue of his club, after starring in the dark blue of his country in Toulon over the summer.
Wighton featured in every match of the tournament Scotland finished third in, with the under-20s claiming a historic victory over Brazil along the way.
And his impressive form in France has continued into Dundee’s pre-season.
The 19-year-old was man of the match against Brechin on Tuesday night, scoring one and setting up another.
And, if he is given a starting jersey for the Betfred Cup season opener against Raith Rovers next week, he wants to make sure that he keeps hold of it.
“These type of games (Brechin) are always good in pre-season,” said Wighton. “We were playing against a well-organised side.
“It’s about getting game time and fitness but if you can add goals and assists, that helps your confidence going into the start of the season.
“Because I played through the summer I came back reasonably fit anyway. Getting 70 minutes against Brechin will help as well. I’m looking to kick on now.
“I’ve been in and around the team for a good few years now. It’s time to man up and put in a performance every week, not just do it in spells.
“That’s down to me. I’m the only one who can change that.
“The games are coming thick and fast and I’m trying to make it hard for the manager to leave me out of the team by playing well every week.
“I’ve been inconsistent far too often which has been the most disappointing thing for me personally.
“At this level it’s not good enough to do it one in every three or four games. It has to be week in and week out.
“Obviously everyone has bad games but last season I don’t think I did enough to keep myself in the team.
“Every other player wants in that team against Raith. We’re all trying to impress. Hopefully once I’m in the team I can stay there. It’s down to me.”
Wighton may not yet be the Premiership regular he aspires to be but he has two achievements on his CV many a veteran would covet – scoring the winner in the derby that relegated Dundee United and being part of Scotland’s first ever win against Brazil.
“These things are highlights of your career,” he said. “Especially as I’m still young. They’re the two moments that stand out. But they’re in the past and this season is a big one for me.”
Reflecting on the Toulon tournament, Wighton added: “Beating Brazil was definitely the highlight.
“After losing our first game we were really disappointed and it looked hard for us to qualify for the next round. So we knew we had to get a win against Brazil.
“Everyone put in one of the best performances of their career and it’s obviously a great achievement. The England game was a disappointment but we probably achieved more than people thought we would. “It was a really good experience.” Wighton made a name for himself in youth football as a central striker but he is getting his head round the idea of a wider role, which manager Neil McCann has given him in pre-season. “We’ve spoken a wee bit,” he said. “Last year and with Scotland I’ve played wide. It’s a role I can see myself playing now in the future.
“I know it’s different to the role that I was used to growing up playing through the middle.
“I don’t care where I’m playing, as long as I’m in the team.
“The formation that we play I can come inside so although I’m wide, it’s not as if I’m stuck out on the touchline. It’s up to me to get myself involved.”