STEWART RUNS RAMPANT AS HARTLEY FEARS LOSING HIM

DUNDEE boss Paul Hartley watched Greg Stewart destroy Dumbarton with a ‘sublime’ showing — then admitted they have not a hope of replacing him if he leaves the Tayside club.

Stewart’s vintage second-half display helped the Dark Blues come from behind to sink the Sons and move into second place in their Betfred Cup group, thanks to a five-goal spree after the break, having been left trailing at the interval to goals from Frazer Wright and Gregor Buchanan.

The 26-year-old, who has been attracting the attention of Rangers, Aberdeen and Leeds United, is in the final year of his contract at Dens Park.

And Hartley admits the prospect of losing the former Cowdenbeath ace is unthinkable.

Hartley, who watched Kane Hemmings grab a double as well as skipper Darren O’Dea hitting the target, said: ‘Greg’s second-half performance was sublime.

‘There is going to be interest in Greg. But we don’t want to sell him. There’s no way we could replace him.’

Stewart’s curled freekick gave Dundee an early lead but Wright quickly levelled for the Sons before Buchanan put them in front.

Hemmings drew the hosts level with a low finish shortly after the break and then O’Dea’s header made it 3-2.

Stewart struck his second with a drive high into the net and then secured his hat-trick from Kevin Holt’s pass.

Hemmings completed the rout with five minutes remaining.

‘I didn’t think it was a 6-2 game, it’s harsh,’ said Sons boss Stevie Aitken.