Points alone will save

managing director John Nelms stated: “Unfortunately, the business we are in, sometimes change is necessary to achieve the goals we have set.”

Hartley had replaced John Brown in the job after “Bomber” left the club on February 3 2014.

Brown came in firstly as interim manager on February 23 2013 to follow Barry Smith, before being appointed on a permanent basis on April 26 of that year.

However, with the Dark Blues battling to get out of the Championship the following season he was on his way after a winless run of only three games (losses to Livingston and Falkirk followed by a 1-1 home draw against Alloa).

Dundee were joint-top of the table at the time and would go on to win the title under Hartley just a few months later.

In season 2012-13, when Dundee were promoted to the top flight as Club 12 following Rangers’ fall, they beat Hibs 3-1 at Dens on November 17 but didn’t get another victory until March 6 when they beat St Mirren 2-1 at home – Brown’s first success in the Premiership.

However, the context here is that this was a club that had not been expecting a place in the top division, had suffered a summer of uncertainty and was not properly prepared or equipped as a result.

By contrast, Mccann is in his second full season in the Premiership and has been backed to the hilt when it comes to recruitment.

As well as a critical analysis of his overall record, Mccann should also be wary of shocking results and performances lingering in the minds of supporters.

He may not have suffered a 7-0 embarrassment like Hartley but he hasn’t exactly been short of terrible scorelines.

I would rank the defeats as follows (worst first):

3-0 v Ayr.

4-0 v Hamilton.

4-0 v St Johnstone.

4-1 v Ross County.

3-0 v Hamilton.

He just can’t afford another one of those.

The conclusion has to be that Mccann’s overall record does not stand up well to scrutiny.

He has been backed by owner Tim Keyes and Nelms with both words and cash but if the shoogly peg is not to come off the wall completely then results will need to drastically improve. That’s not fake news. iroache@thecourier.co.uk

Neil Mccann, right, has been backed by owner Tim Keyes, above with managing director John Nelms; Lawrence Shankland celebrates scoring for Ayr in a 3-0 win over the Dark Blues last month.