You Kenny hide from the truth
KENNY MILLER’S not a man known for failing to take an opportunity.
But given the chance to back his Dundee boss Jim McIntyre, the former Scotland striker allowed this one to pass him by.
Whether deliberate or otherwise, words of support for his manager weren’t forthcoming on Saturday and that maybe tells a story in itself.
The axe fell yesterday, Dundee announcing the departure of McIntyre and assistant Jimmy Boyle.
After ending a run of 10 straight league defeats with a too little, too late win over Livingston, the Dens Park side’s fate of Championship football next season felt long since sealed.
Against Livi, there was little joy to be had by Miller despite becoming his club’s oldest scorer by overtaking legendary striker Gordon Smith who achieved his feat in the 1960s.
Instead, it was left to the 39-yearold evergreen hitman to explain the harsh truths of a season where nobody should hide from blame.
He said: “When you are on these kind of runs, managers know it’s always going to stop with them.
“Players need to take responsibility as well because we’ve not done the job well. And it’s not solely about a manager or players. Everybody has played their part in this poor season.
“I don’t want to comment on these things, really, that is something the club will sort out. It needs addressed.”
This game had all the consequence of nothing more than a countdown to the summer break but it was significant for Miller who clipped a tidy finish past Livi keeper Liam Kelly in the 11th minute to claim his landmark. The striker admits he knew about the significance of the goal but it didn’t sit high in his list of priorities. He said: “I was first told about the record six months ago and it took me a while to get there. “Today was about going out there, trying to play for a bit of pride and stopping a really poor losing run of games. All that came before any personal goal for me. “It was about trying to get the team to respond, rebuild and get into a position where we can bounce back next year. “That was the goal after last week – stopping the rot. We were delighted to get the win and we move forward into next week.”
Miller’s set his sights on trying to help Dee bounce back up and says this season hasn’t deterred him from pulling the boots on for another one.
He said: “It’s been a tough year. When you’re in a team and out a team and down the bottom of the leagues, it becomes tough for everybody.
“I am happy and proud I am still playing. If I felt I was not contributing in the ways I know I can then I would be the first to say maybe it’s time to stop. It’s not that time yet.
“You never know what is around the corner. I’m firmly focused on still being a player next season unless anything else is on the table.”
Livi boss Gary Holt admits this season’s grinding to a halt. He said: “We spoke about desire and hunger to play at this stage. It’s disappointing we seem to be giving goals away and aren’t taking responsibility on the pitch to make something happen.”