Dark Blues braced for Kerr suspension

DunDee: Talented defender expected to be out for first match after split

Dundee are bracing themselves for the loss of Cammy Kerr for the first match of the post-split section of the season.

It is understood a booking in the 1-0 defeat to Hearts on Saturday will result in the talented defender receiving a onematch ban.

The suspension will come after Saturday’s crunch relegation clash with Hamilton Accies at Dens and probably be served on April 29, with the opposition due to be announced by the SPFL later this week.

His absence will come as a setback to manager Paul Hartley, who sang his praises after the loss to the Jam Tarts.

Hartley said: “I thought Cammy was great. We asked him to play on the left but he coped with it really well.”

The Dens boss also insists Dan Higgins can be proud of his contribution on his debut.

Hartley opted for former Celtic trainee Higgins ahead of Kevin Gomis in central defence, even though the teenager, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Saturday, is more accustomed to playing in midfield.

Higgins produced a solid performance at Tynecastle and Hartley insists the versatile player’s display was a positive on another disappointing afternoon.

Hartley, whose side are just a point above the Premiership relegation playoff zone, said: “I thought young Higgins was excellent when he came in.

“He was thrown right in at the deep end. He only got told on Friday that he was playing, just because of the personnel we’ve got and how we wanted to line up. I thought he was great.

“We had a really young team out there. He was very good, we got him from Celtic about Christmas time, he got let go.

“He can play as a midfielder and probably his best position is as a central midfielder but he had played at centre back a few times so we stuck him in.

“He was very composed for his age, nothing fazes him. He’s had a good upbringing at Celtic, I was really pleased with that.”

Meanwhile, Dundee owner Tim Keyes is now expected to fly across from the United States after the Accies game.

It had been hoped that he would be at the club in time to watch the team in action this weekend but his visit will be later this month.

We asked him to play on the left but he coped with it well. PAUL HARTLEY

Picture: SNS. A booking in Saturday’s clash with Hearts is likely to mean Cammy Kerr will have to serve a one-match ban.