The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Timely boost for battling Dundee
DUNDEE 1 HEARTS 1: Confident Dark Blues head into Glasgow double-header
Dundee manager Neil McCann feels his players should have real belief for their Glasgow doubleheader after a fine display against Hearts.
The Dark Blues may have only taken a point from their entertaining 1-1 draw with the Jam Tarts at Dens Park yesterday but they played very well for long spells and bossed much of the game.
It was certainly enough to convince McCann that they can give a good account of themselves at both Celtic Park on Wednesday and Ibrox on Saturday before the Premiership splits in two.
Dundee go into these daunting-looking fixtures against Celtic and Rangers four points clear of Partick Thistle, who occupy the play-off spot, and seven ahead of bottom side Ross County.
There was also a real show of character, with the hosts taking the second-minute opener from Hearts’ Ross Callachan on the chin and levelling through Sofien Moussa on 28 minutes.
McCann said: “I think we have taken a lot of confidence and belief from that performance because the work was solid.
“Listen, it’s going to be a big, big task to go to Glasgow twice in succession.”
“It’s also a big demand on the fans to dip into their pockets for that but hopefully they will have seen enough from us today to see that it’s doable because we need their support,” added McCann.
“The biggest thing for me is that when we are on it we can go to Glasgow and cause Celtic and Rangers problems.
“So I was delighted with the performance but not delighted with the early goal we lost.
“There were aspects of it that made me frustrated but I think the reaction to it (losing the goal) was great.
“You are looking for the players to stay strong because sometimes the head can rule the heart and you go into yourself but that didn’t happen.
“We continued to play with purpose and drive, and I felt we gave Hearts more trouble today than many sides have done this season because we know how solid they have been.”
McCann admitted that he felt Dundee deserved more than just a solitary point.
He added: “I am disappointed a wee bit that we didn’t get three points because I think we probably deserved them.
“It was a fantastic goal and I am delighted for Sofien because I know he hadn’t scored from open play in the league and that had been well documented in terms of his four penalties.
“I think it came off his shin or his knee – I don’t know what it hit – but I was delighted when it went in.”
Skipper Darren O’Dea came off early in the second half with a hamstring injury.
McCann said: “The hamstring got tight and I could see when he got it in the first half. He flagged it up and we took him off but I don’t think it’s too serious.”