Dark Blues keeper Ferrie looks forward to brighter future

Dark Blues’ season ends with defeat but signs are positive

Dundee goalie Calum Ferrie admitted he fully understood his manager’s anger and frustration after the Dark Blues were beaten by Partick Thistle on Saturday.

However, the 19-year-old was determined to put the disappointment behind him and look to what he hopes is a promising future for himself and the club.

Dens boss Neil McCann did not hold back in his assessment of his players’ performance as they lost to a Jags side desperate for a result to avoid automatic relegation, accusing the team of “short-changing” the fans.

Ferrie, who had been handed his first start for Dundee against Partick, was unable to prevent the opposition prevailing thanks to a solitary Kris Doolan goal.

He may only be 19 but Calum Ferrie insists he is not at Dens just to make up the numbers in the goalkeeping department.

The teenager, who made his debut for the club against Rangers at Ibrox last month, coming on as a late sub for the injured Elliott Parish, was handed his first start on Saturday against Partick Thistle.

Although Ferrie made some fine saves, he was unable to prevent the Jags taking all three points thanks to a Kris Doolan strike.

However, the young keeper is determined that while Parish is in possession of the No 1 jersey at the moment, he will be pushing his more experienced colleague all the way next season.

Ferrie said: “I really enjoyed getting my first start. It was good to get it under my belt after making my debut earlier in the season at Rangers.

“The 10 minutes at Ibrox gave me a boost and confidence to come to the Partick game and not be overly nervous or anything like that.

“I was just looking to enjoy it and I think that showed in my performance.

“That is what I have tried to do playing football since I was young.

“I found out at training on Friday that I was in the team. It was a lot different to the Rangers game when I was just thrown on.

“As a keeper when you are on the bench, you always think you might be needed but you never think you actually will be needed.

“But getting told on Friday gave me a chance to relax about it and try to enjoy it.

“I slept fine. To be honest, as soon as my head hits the pillow that’s me gone.”

Ferrie added: “Hopefully I can come back in for pre-season now and push as hard as I can.

“Obviously, there is competition with Ell and Kyle (Gourlay).

“But I will just push and see where it takes me next season.

“I have never been an overly-confident type of person but I come into training every day and just give it 100%.

“Wherever it takes me, then it will take me in life – that has always been my attitude.

“People can question my ability all they want but no one can ever question my attitude.

“I am still young – I am only 19 so I still have plenty of time.

“All I want to do is get experience playing games and enjoying football.

“I love coming into training every day. It is a brilliant job to have and I am really lucky. “I will see where it takes me.” Ferrie was called into action against the Jags in just the fourth minute, making an outstanding save high to his left from a looping Adam Barton header.

It was the home side who came close next in the 27th minute when skipper Paul McGowan found time and space in the Jags box to hit a shot which keeper Tomas Cerny saved.

Shortly after the home captain had to be replaced by Randy Wolters with the half ending with two chances for Thistle, but Steven Lawless and Miles Storey failed to capitalise.

Ferrie made another vital save just two minutes after the restart when Danny Devine powered a header towards goal from a corner.

However, the Jags got the lifeline they desperately needed in the 63rd minute when sub Doolan was calmness personified inside the home penalty box to fire the ball past Ferrie.

Dundee tried to haul themselves back into the game with Simon Murray having a chance in the 80th minute but his shot was blocked.

There was a further opportunity for Wolters but Cerny was alert to push his fierce low drive away to safety at his near post, with the Partick fans celebrating at the final whistle with their side now destined for a play-off with Livingston.

Ferrie admitted it was good to get that early save to give him a confidence boost.

He said: “Yes, it was. I was worried for a second when it was looping.

“But I got there and it just gave me confidence. When they had that first corner they were probably thinking, here’s a young keeper, let’s put it on him.

“So it was a confidence booster and it helped me grow into the game.”

Twitter: @C_NRobertson

SNS. Progressing: Calum Ferrie.