The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dundee boss expects more from squad
Dundee: Dark Blues boss insists there’s more to come from current playing squad as he plans campaign
Dundee manager Neil McCann is keen to bring in more new faces as he builds his squad for the new season – but he also believes that the exisiting squad have more to offer.
The Dens boss made his first two signings last week, bringing in Scott Allan on loan and Roarie Deacon.
He has not set a target for how many he feels he needs to bring in but said: “I know there are a few boys who will leave but I want to add to the quality that is already there.
“I still think that now we are up and running and have a full season ahead we can get even more from some of the guys in the dressing-room.”
Dundee boss Neil McCann insists he is looking for quality not quantity as he carefully adds to his squad for next season.
The Dens manager made his first two signings last week drafting in Scott Allan on loan from Celtic along with former Sutton United front man Roarie Deacon.
McCann is determined to bring in further reinforcements but was keeping his cards close to his chest on exact numbers.
However, one thing he was willing to discuss was his belief that there is still a lot more to come from the players already at the club.
He said: “I haven’t set a number, no. It was never about a number to me. I saw enough from that team last season to believe we would get out of trouble and we did.
“I know there are a few boys who will leave but I want to add to the quality that is already there.
“I still think that now we are up and running and have a full season ahead we can get even more from some of the guys in the dressing-room.
“So we will improve the team as it exists just now and it is about adding quality on to that. I am not too fussed about masses of numbers to be honest.”
McCann is determined to have his squad in place and raring to go when the Betfred League Cup games kick off with the first tie against Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park on Tuesday July 18.
Last season, Dundee convincingly won their two home games in the group stage against Dumbarton and Forfar but could only draw at East Fife and lost at Peterhead.
They promptly exited the competition and McCann is determined that will not happen again under his tenure, especially with a derby against United to look forward to in the last Group C game at the end of next month.
He added: “The most important thing I must say is that the League Cup games will not be used as a warm-up.
“The competition is important to me and we want to be ready for it so we will look to get games in before that to prepare. The League Cup games are not to be messed around with.
“The United derby is the last game but the Raith Rovers one is equally as important.”
Dundee have announced a third preseason friendly – away to Arbroath on Saturday July 8.
The Dark Blues have already arranged games at St Mirren on Tuesday July 4 and Brechin City on Tuesday July 11.
I saw enough from that team last season to believe we would get out of trouble and we did. NEIL MCCANN