I was purely looking after my player... my words were emotive as concern called for it
Tony DOCHERTY defiantly insists the “emotive language” he used to express his concern for Michael Mellon was not out of order.
Dundee’s on-loan Burnley striker had to be stretchered off at the end of Sunday’s 2-1 win over St Johnstone at Dens after being knocked out in a sickening clash of heads with Saints skipper Liam Gordon.
Dark Blues boss Docherty claimed after the game that the defender’s challenge was “almost life-endangering”.
That comment prompted a phone call from his St Johnstone opposite number Craig Levein with the former Scotland boss later revealing he felt Docherty’s words had been “inappropriate” and his player had only been trying to win the ball.
The Dundee gaffer, however, is sticking to his guns and the 53-year-old said: “I understand Craig coming out and defending his player. That’s what every manager does. But my emotive language was used to emphasise my huge concern for my player.
“I am pleased to say Michael is making a significant recovery.
“Since he came in here he has endeared himself to the fans. Everybody had major concerns for him because he’s such an integral member of the squad.
“All I’m doing is showing my concern for the welfare of my player and I think Craig was doing the same for his player.”
After lengthy treatment on the field, Mellon, son of former Dundee United boss Micky, was rushed to Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital and while he is now on the mend Docherty admitted the Scotland Under-21 player and his family received a huge fright.
The manager added: “Michael is being closely monitored by the doctor but I’m pleased to say he’s making progress. Michael’s had a real fright as has his family because it was a bad one. “He’s now back on the mend and he’s got his wee dog to keep him company. His family are up here with him as well.”
After Mellon suffered his injury, referee David Munro initially waved play on with Dundee’s doctor Derek McCormack ignoring protocols to race onto the pitch to treat the stricken player before the whistler stopped the game.
The club subsequently contacted the SFA to express their concerns that the match had not been halted immediately and while Docherty admitted there had been a response from the governing body he was staying tight-lipped over exactly what had been said.
He stated: “We’ve had conversations but they are private. There are lessons to be learned from it, let’s say.
“In hindsight, there were wrong decisions made. I think the fourth official should let the doctor come on the pitch. Player welfare is the most important thing and we need to make sure as an industry that this sort of thing doesn’t happen again.”
Docherty’s focus is now on tomorrow’s Premiership clash against Ross County at Dens.
The Staggies lost their first match with new interim boss Don Cowie in charge on Wednesday, being beaten 3-1 by Rangers at Ibrox, but the Dundee gaffer expects a tough contest.
Docherty said: “Ross County have good players and Don will be trying to put his stamp on it.
“But we want to replicate the performance we put in against St Johnstone. If we do that, it will give us a good chance of getting a good result.”
Michael’s had a real fright as has his family... it was a bad one TONY DOCHERTY