Dundee can cope without suspended pair, claims boss

Dundee boss Neil McCann admits opportunity knocks for some of his squad this afternoon against St Johnstone.

The Dark Blues will face Tommy Wright’s side without the suspended midfield duo of Glen Kamara and Paul McGowan.

The pair have been virtually everpresent this season and will be a big loss as Dundee look to leapfrog Saints in the league table.

However, the manager insists he has the strength of depth in his squad to cope with their absence.

McCann said: “Everyone is good. We have a full squad to choose from other than Marcus Haber who had back surgery recently, and the two suspended boys.

“It’s the first game Glen will have missed. For someone who’s still only 22, he’s played some amount of football this season.

“He’s disappointed he’s missing out, but what that brings is an opportunity for someone else.

“We’ve got two opportunities because of the suspension to Gowser as well.

“We’ve had a good preparation day in terms of our shape and are looking forward to the match.”

McCann and assistant Graham Gartland took in St Johnstone’s midweek match at Kilmarnock, a game the Perth side lost 2-0.

Defender Jason Kerr was red carded in the first half by referee Willie Collum but will be available for this afternoon’s fixture as St Johnstone have appealed against the decision.

McCann said: “I listened to Tommy after the Kilmarnock game and he clearly appealed the red card for young Kerr so he’ll be available.

“St Johnstone don’t change too much in terms of what they are under Tommy.

“But we’ve played really well against them this season.”

McCann has also criticised the rescheduling of their postponed trip to Celtic Park after his team were handed the task of facing three of Scotland’s biggest clubs in six days.

The Dark Blues boss wanted the game played either this week or next, when both teams are free, but the Scottish Professional Football League has organised the fixture for April 4.

“I think the rearranged fixture with Celtic is really poor, the timing of it,” said McCann..

“We had a week this week where we could have played it, but Celtic didn’t want it because they have the Old Firm game coming up and wanted a clear run at it.

“Next week could have been pencilled in quite easily had it not been a cup replay, because it was Morton’s replay time. So why not then?

“Instead they saw fit to rearrange the game so that we play Hearts on the Sunday – because it’s televised –we go to Celtic Park on the Wednesday and then Ibrox on Saturday.

“In six days we have those three teams. I think it’s poor from the powers that be.”