Hartley’s men are looking up
FOR a second week in a row, Dundee needed to keep calm. They had to concentrate until the very last second. It seems they have learned their lesson.
Last week at Ibrox, Paul Hartley’s side thought they had completed the job only for Rangers to pounce at the death.
Yesterday, under pressure from Inverness Caledonian Thistle, they survived to win and, crucially, move off the foot of the table. The fact they now sit seventh shows how tight and crazy it is in the bottom half of the Premiership.
Goals in either half from Craig Wighton and Kostadin Gadzhalov proved the difference as the Dens Park club beat Inverness for the first time in 17 league games.
The Highlanders made things nervy when Carl Tremarco scored with nine minutes left. But Dundee held on as Inverness ended the game with ten men after Lewis Horner was sent off in the final seconds.
Hartley was thrilled to see his side move off the bottom of the table with an ‘ugly’ win and praised Wighton for his impact.
‘I’m happy because I didn’t think we played great today,’ said Hartley. ‘Our effort and attitude were first-class again.
‘Sometimes you have to win ugly and that was the case today.
‘We had to be focused and we’re pleased with another three points. It’s important we’ve moved off the bottom in terms of confidence.
‘Craig has made a huge impact for us and his goal was class. He showed great maturity and he has that ability about him. We have been patient with him. He’s got the jersey now.’
Hartley named an unchanged starting line-up after last week’s agonising 1-0 loss at Rangers. The Dundee boss continued with his 3-5-2 formation, which has led to improved performances over the last few weeks as they bid to shut up shop.
The Highlanders welcomed back midfielder Greg Tansey from suspension, while injured defender Brad McKay was replaced by Horner.
There was a bizarre moment before kick-off when Dundee midfielder Paul McGowan was accidentally barged by Inverness goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams as the players changed ends. After treatment, he was back on his feet.
Wighton pounced to give the hosts the lead inside the first half-hour. Tom Hateley slipped the ball to the Dundonian and he was allowed too much space to run into the box and curled a great shot into the far corner.
However, the hosts were relieved to hear the half-time whistle after Aaron Doran’s cross led to an almighty scramble in their box, but Inverness could not force the ball over the line and Dundee were reprieved.
Hartley’s men bagged their second on the hour mark. Gadzhalov rose at the back post to meet Hateley’s free-kick from the right and headed the ball past Fon Williams.
Caley Thistle almost responded immediately but striker Lonsana Doumbouya saw his header cleared off the line by McGowan.
The visitors pulled themselves back into the game with nine minutes left when Tremarco headed home at the back post from Horner’s cross.
In the dying seconds Inverness lost possession deep in Dundee’s half as they pressed for an equaliser.
Wighton broke clear on goal and was hauled down by Horner. The referee had no option but to send off the defender.
Caley Thistle boss Richie Foran was left bemused by the defeat and claimed it was his team’s best display since the start of the campaign.
‘Unbelievable. This was our best performance of the season so far,’ said Foran, whose side slipped down to tenth spot. ‘We had all the possession and we dominated from start to finish. But we lost.
‘I told the lads I’m delighted with the performance and not to take it the wrong way. But I’m not happy with the result or Dundee’s first goal defensively.
‘We had so many chances. We could have scored five. If we play like that week-in, week-out, we’ll win most games.’