Crunch time for Dundee – and McCann in particular

You get the feeling the match against Kilmarnock represents a fork in the road for Dundee in general and manager Neil McCann in particular.

Win it and McCann’s belief that his players have been very close to getting it right will have been vindicated.

They can kick on with confidence that both style and substance will take them up the Premiership table.

While not ideal, a draw would at least bring the five-game losing streak to a welcome end, even though it would not be quite enough to suggest they are in full recovery mode.

A defeat, however, will mean the pressure is really on.

Killie would be six points clear and second-bottom Partick Thistle would still be two ahead and have a game in hand. Next up would be four extremely challenging fixtures against Rangers (h), Ross County (a), Aberdeen (h) and Hearts (a).

So McCann and his players need to stop the rot now.

The manager and selective players have been absolutely right to say that some of Dundee’s football this season has been excellent and they have also had several poor decisions go against them at crucial times in important games.

What really matters, though, is the points tally and eight from 14 games (a possible 42 points) if they lose to Killie would put McCann in a very vulnerable position.

Anyone who doubts that should note that, after 14 matches of their relegation season, city neighbours Dundee United had, you guessed it, just eight points.

Ian Roache

Neil McCann needs to lead the Dark Blues to victory over Killie today.