Dundee win ugly, but classy kid Wighton shines

DUNDEE were under a Caley curse.

But Craig Wighton conjured a moment of magic to help the Dark Blues smash seven years of bad luck against Inverness.

Wighton’s first- half stunner and Kostatin Gadzhalov’s second-half header earned the Dee their first win over the Highlanders since November 2009 – a streak of 16 games.

The points lifted Paul Hartley’s side off the bottom of the Premiership, into seventh place.

And the Dee gaffer last night challenged teenage hit man Wighton to fire his side even further up the table.

Hartley said: “Craig has made a huge impact for us over the last month.

“His goal was class. He’s always had that kind of ability but he’s showing great maturity too.

“We’ve been patient. It’s too easy to put kids in and expect a lot of them.

“It’s easy to forget he’s just 19 because he’s been about the first team since he was 15.

“There are expectations on his young shoulders. But if he keeps performing like that his natural talent will shine through.”

He added: “I’m happy with the win because I didn’t think we played great. But I’m pleased with the effort and the attitude.

“Sometimes you’ve got to win ugly – and we did.”

Dundee were made to sweat early on by Inverness.

But with 20 minutes on the clock, the tide began to turn.

Cammy Kerr seized the initiative, skipping inside left- back Carl Tremarco before whipping in a terrific left-footed cross.

The unchallenged Marcus Haber rose highest, but could only direct his header wide of the post.

Dundee turned the screw, and went ahead five minutes later through Wighton.

The Dee’s homegrown hero, with his back to goal, had plenty to do when Tom Hateley fired a ball into his feet 30 yards out.

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