Four-goal Nelson confident he will lead line against Hibs

Dundee scorer says joy at netting made up for agony after celebration

Andrew Nelson is confident he will be fit to try to extend a stunning start to his Dundee career on Friday night.

The Dark Blues welcome Hibs to Dens Park, with the former Sunderland striker looking to continue goalscoring form that has seen him find the net four times in four starts.

The 21-year-old equalised against Livingston at the weekend but then had to limp off a few minutes later with a shin injury that had made him a pre-match doubt.

Asked whether it is likely to keep him out of the Hibs game, he replied: “No, it should just take a couple of days to settle down. That’s what I’m hoping.”

The 2-1 win in West Lothian has taken Dundee out of the bottom two on goal difference. “It’s a great lift,” said Nelson.

“We know there’s still a long way to go but this is the start of it. We’ve picked up a massive three points.”

LIVINGSTON 1 DUNDEE 2

Celebrating his equaliser at Livingston may have brought an early end to Andrew Nelson’s afternoon.

But Dundee’s new hero has admitted that the “magical” feeling of scoring goals makes keeping a lid on his emotions next to impossible.

The former Sunderland man made it four in four starts at the weekend – and jumping as high after seeing his 53rd minute header hit the net as he did to meet the cross in the first place came at a price.

You get the impression, though, that it was a price worth paying.

Nelson admitted: “I aggravated an injury going for the header and then made it even worse with the celebration.

“I shouldn’t have jumped that high but it’s hard to stop yourself in the heat of the moment after scoring a goal. I landed funnily on my heels.

“You always want to get off to a good start when you join a new club. I came here to make a name for myself and that’s what I’m trying to do.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to be a professional footballer and make a living in the game. This is only the beginning.

“That’s why you celebrate a goal. It feels so overwhelming to make a contribution after being held back by injuries and missing out on certain opportunities. There’s no better feeling. It’s magical. I can’t contain myself when I score.”

The use of artificial pitches in the Premiership was a big talking point last week after the SPFA took a strong stance on the matter. And Nelson certainly isn’t a fan of them.

“The surface has no give in it so when you push off, it hurts,” he said.

“I took a knock on the shin through the week and I’ve had shin-splints before. It really flared up so I’ve only been doing light work in the gym. There has been plenty of ice and anti-inflammatories to try and deal with the swelling.

“The reactions you get from artificial surfaces aren’t great. I can remember coming back from a knee injury at Sunderland and I wasn’t able to train on the indoor pitch for two weeks.

“For me, my feet flare up after I play on astroturf.”

Nelson was in the stand by the time Scott Wright curled a 25-yard free-kick into the net for the Dundee winner and it was a case of practice makes perfect.

“It was some free-kick,” said Nelson. “He was practising them all day after training on Friday so we knew he was going to take it on.

“He’s put it right into the top corner – which he was doing on Friday. That practice has paid off when it matters most.

“We’re the type of team that will keep going to the end and we’ve got that sort of quality from the likes of Scotty as well.”

Dundee’s win was a reward for their perseverance.

After Shaun Byrne was red-carded early in the contest, the Dark Blues initially struggled to make the extra man count and even went a goal down – a Craig Halkett back post finish from a long throw.

Nelson, Wright and Andy Dales all missed excellent opportunities before the equaliser and Paul McGowan should have made it 2-1 before Wright did.

To get a late win – after two injurytime disappointments in their previous matches – was the best possible way to get themselves out of the bottom two, albeit just on goal difference.

“It’s a great lift,” said Nelson.

“We know there’s still a long way to go but this is the start of it. We’ve picked up a massive three points.

“Livi dropped deep with 10 men and made it hard – especially with the physicality they bring. We’ve overcome it and got the win.”

Dundee were also aided by the referee’s decision not to award a penalty at 1-1 when Livi substitute Steven Lawless claimed Jesse Curran had brought him down.

“Stonewall” was the word used by the player and his manager and the booking he got for diving poured salt into an open wound.

Dundee boss Jim McIntyre said: “I have only seen the penalty on a small screen but Jesse Curran is adamant the boy went down soft. At the time I thought it was a penalty but I haven’t seen it properly.”

On his two goalscorers, McIntyre said: “It was an outstanding free-kick from Scott. He is a brilliant boy to work with. I spoke to Derek McInnes about him and he said Scott always stayed behind to do extra.

“He is in the gym or practising his free-kicks and it is refreshing to see a young player who has that desire to make himself better without being asked to by a manager. He deserves all the plaudits that will come his way for his performance and his wonder goal.

“Nelson did not train all week as he took a bang on the shin last week and it went into his calf. He was a major doubt.

“He is a goalscorer and I thought his finish was excellent. I’m really pleased with his contribution.”

There’s no better feeling when you score. It’s magical. I can’t contain myself when I score. ANDREW NELSON