‘Touchline terrier’ is up to the challenge

DUNDEE: Cammy Kerr is gaining the rewards for his efforts

The SFA’s performance director Malky Mackay didn’t hold back about the lack of dedication from many young pros in the Scottish game earlier this week.

But nobody could tar Dundee defender Cammy Kerr with that brush.

The all-action full-back is giving his full commitment to becoming an established Premiership performer.

And, after becoming a first team fixture for the Dark Blues this season, that attitude is being rewarded.

“The one thing I have found this season is how mentally demanding it is playing in the Premiership,” said Kerr, who will line-up against Aberdeen tonight.

“It’s much more relentless than any other level. You can’t come into training and do well if you’ve not had the right amount of sleep or been eating well.

“All those things contribute to how you perform on a Saturday so you have to fine-tune your life to suit to that.

“So I’ve been making sure I get more sleep. I’m having more early nights.

“I speak to the manager a lot and also to the likes of Darren O’Dea and they’ve told me if you make lots of small improvements to your life then it adds up to a lot.

“That is really valuable and it’s definitely something I have taken on board because all I’m focused on is my football.

“From a very young age it has been drilled into me that it’s up to you at the end of the day.”

Kerr has made his name as a touchline terrier for the Dark Blues on their right flank this season but the 21-year-old has been refining his game as the campaign has progressed.

“I’m more disciplined defensively this season,” he said. “I think that’s where I have improved most.

“The manager has talked to me about it because I know I can still be a bit rash in the tackle and dive in at times.

“But I just have to focus on making sure the player up against me doesn’t get past me.

“Every week I just try to keep whoever it is quiet and anything else is a bonus.”

Kerr added: “This season has been better than I thought, it has surpassed my expectations.

“I’ve got into the team and learned the role more. I’ve made more appearances than I expected to have.

“But the challenge is staying in the team now. It was obviously nice to see the manager say in pre-season he wasn’t looking for a new defender in my position.

“It would have been easy for him to go out and buy someone but he didn’t do that so I got my chance.

“Last summer I wanted to play every game but I didn’t know if I would, so I’ve just taken every week differently.

“If I’ve had a bad game the week before I just have to work harder and get back into the side.

“The manager has put a lot of trust in me this season, I’m grateful for that but I know it’s up to me to keep that trust.”

Kerr received credit for the way he kept one of Celtic’s star men, Kieran Tierney, relatively quiet at Dens in Dundee’s last match before the international break.

“Kieran is a very good player but I’ve not read too much into my performance against him,” he said.

“I take every game as it comes and all I try to do is make it as difficult as possible for the guy I’m playing against.”

Kerr isn’t daunted by reputation but he knows that the challenge he’ll face this evening against Aberdeen is one of the toughest for a Premiership full-back.

“Their wingers are good and they take care of the ball really well,” he said. “But that’s what you’d expect from a team sitting where they are in the league.

“Jonny Hayes is really good. He’s one of the toughest players to play against because of his pace and his movement.

“Niall McGinn is the same. He’s an international player and someone who doesn’t give you a moment.

“We have run the bigger teams close this season and have been unlucky in a few of the games so hopefully we’re due one this week. But against Aberdeen you have to be at your best because they are a very good side.”

Meanwhile, Dundee youngsters Kerr Waddell, defender, and Kyle Gourlay, a goalkeeper, have joined League 2 Clyde on loan until the end of the season.

Malky Mackay was vocal about how some young pros lack dedication but that cannot be levelled at Cammy Kerr

Picture: SNS. Cammy Kerr has been fine-tuning his life – and it is paying off on the field.