The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Winless run will end soon, says Kerr
Dark Blues star remains positive that ‘one decision’ will turn season around
Dundee’s Cammy Kerr is certain it is only a matter of time before his side start receiving the rewards their play fully deserves.
The Dark Blues’ miserable run of defeats continued against Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday.
Neil McCann’s men – who were dealt another blow when closest rivals Kilmarnock scored a late winner against Hearts yesterday – did well to recover from the hammer blow of going behind after just a minute to equalise and then play some cracking football before the break.
However, they then conceded a poor goal in the second 45 that once again cost them dear and they left Leith with nothing to show for their efforts.
However, Kerr is convinced that the run of defeats will end – and soon.
The full-back said: “I know it is the same old story coming off the pitch saying we have played well but we didn’t get a result. However, we showed how good we could be in large spells of the game.
“I’m standing here again thinking how well we have played but we will go back on the bus with zero points again. I am positive and everyone in the dressing room is positive that we will turn it around.
“If we were camped in for 90 minutes, weren’t playing well or the boys were looking down in training, then it would be a bit concerning. But I can honestly tell you, we are doing everything right.
“I am positive it is just a case of one decision going our way and it will turn.”
Dundee now have a bit of breathing space because of the international break but when asked if it had come at a good time for the team, Kerr replied: “No, because I think we are so close to being where we want to be. I genuinely believe that.
“I would rather have a game next weekend just to keep battering things in at training and keep working away. Anyone could see that was a good performance against Hibs.
“Yes, we maybe switched off at spells but if we can cut that out and be positive, things will change.”
Elliott Parish made his debut for Dundee on Saturday between the sticks but his first job was to pick the ball out of his net after Hibs scored with just a minute on the clock.
The home side won the ball in midfield with former Dark Blues front man Martin Boyle advancing on goal before firing a low angled shot from 16 yards past Parish.
However, McCann’s men came storming back in the 21st minute. Roarie Deacon did well to dig out a tempting cross from the right to Marcus Haber who headed back across goal and into the net past Hibs keeper Ofir Marciano.
Just four minutes after the restart, Dundee looked certain to take the lead when the ball broke to Faissal El Bakhtaoui who hit a fierce shot but Marciano pulled off an incredible save diving low to his right.
There was then an almighty melee just inside the Dundee half with both assistants having to come on to help referee John Beaton separate the warring factions.
Hibs sub Anthony Stokes appeared to aim a low blow at Jack Hendry but once the dust had settled, the referee flashed yellow cards at the duo as well as the home side’s Ryan Porteous.
Hibs then scored what proved to be the winner in the 63rd minute. Stokes, who was lucky still to be on the pitch, swung an inviting ball in from the left and the unmarked Simon Murray calmly volleyed home from six yards.
Dundee boss McCann was absolutely livid about the Stokes incident saying: “After the game, John Beaton told me he goes on the information he has been given. That information was ‘the player has been struck by another player’ but he said he didn’t deem it violent conduct, it was ‘aggressive behaviour’.
“Well, I’m sorry, but it doesn’t take a lot to be painful when you get clipped there with a closed fist.
“People might be thinking, ‘Oh, he’s lost the game and looking for excuses’. Well, it’s not the case – it was outrageous.
“To rub salt in the wounds, he is the architect of the second goal – the guy who shouldn’t be on the pitch.
“Every week I seem to have a big decision go against the team. I’m not excusing the team because the defending was poor, but that aside it just beggars belief.”