Workaholic Dark Blues boss never switches off

Dundee boss Paul Hartley admits he rarely switches off from the constant quest to try to improve his side.

The Dens Park manager is an undoubted workaholic who puts in marathon shifts at the club.

However, even when he is at home, Hartley rarely relaxes and is continuously planning and plotting for his team’s challenges ahead.

The 40-year-old, who is now into his fourth year as Dark Blues boss, said: “You are always thinking and you can’t stand still.

“It occupies so much of your time and your life is based around managing in football.

“I am always thinking, ‘How can we improve the training?’, ‘How can we improve the squad?’. ‘What do we need to do to become better?’.

“You are thinking about it constantly. I am up late most nights writing things down and what we want to do at training and where we need to be.

“I always try to plan the month ahead and give the players a planner so they know what they are doing and what days they are off because it is important they rest and spend time with their families.

“So yes I think we are always working.”

Meanwhile, Hartley could have only two fit central defenders for next week’s vital game against Aberdeen at Dens.

The manager is already without Julen Etxabeguren, who has had achilles surgery, and now fellow centre-half Kosta Gadzhalov is a doubt for the Dons match.

The big Bulgarian received treatment early in Tuesday night’s testimonial against Forfar at Station Park – a young Dark Blues side won 3-1 in a match arranged to honour 10 years of service by Loons midfielder Martyn Fotheringham – but could not continue and had to be replaced in the 12th minute.

If he fails to recover before next Friday, Hartley would be left with just two fit centrehalves in Kevin Gomis and skipper Darren O’Dea.

Paul Hartley is constantly striving to meet Dens challenges.