Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘Talks ongoing’ over new deal for Dundee star
Dens gaffer determined to keep McCowan at the club
A CONTRACT extension for star man Luke McCowan is on the agenda for Dundee.
And there could be more key players tied down to longer deals, says manager Tony Docherty.
The majority of permanent contracts at Dens Park expire in 2025, including McCowan’s.
However, Docherty is determined to “create stability” at the club by securing the long-term future of the club’s top assets. And McCowan is key to that. The former Ayr United man has been an impressively consistent performer for the Dark Blues as they chase down a top-six finish in their first season back at Premiership level.
He tops the club’s scoring charts and leads the assist chart, too, alongside Liverpool loanee Owen Beck.
McCowan said he would be “buzzing” to extend his stay at the club with a new contract.
And his manager confirmed Dundee are equally keen to extend his deal. “Luke has been a top performer for me this season,” Docherty said.
“Not just on the pitch but off the pitch he has really advanced himself in terms of leadership and authority in the group.
“He’s a brilliant player for me but also a great team-mate.
“When you get your good players performing like that you want to keep them at the club.
“So, yeah, talks are ongoing at the moment.
“Luke enjoys it here and we all love him. We like working together.
“It’s a good environment and you want to keep your best players.
“Luke has areas to improve still but we feel here is the right environment for him to do that.
“That’s something we’ll endeavour to do.”
Docherty also confirmed plans are being made to improve the squad in the summer.
Part of those plans also include contract extensions for their bestperforming stars.
He added: “In your first season up after promotion, you have to establish yourself in the division.
“We have a lot of loan signings to help us.
“But it’s about trying to create stability in the football club. The first season is so important and we have a long way to go but, so far, progress has been good.
“As a club, we need to create that stability in terms of our own players. That’s what we are doing.
“So when you get an opportunity to keep your best players with you, you endeavour to do that.
“We are looking at recruitment going forward and it’s all about improving and developing.
“That’s what I will continue to do with the squad on a daily basis.”
Meanwhile, Dundee are set to be without Jordan McGhee for the majority of the month.
The versatile defender has been a consistent performer for the Dark Blues this season, starting 18 straight matches for manager Docherty.
The 27-year-old has also enjoyed a purple patch in front of goal lately, scoring three times since the turn of the year.
McGhee had nailed down the right-back or right wing-back spot in Docherty’s backline until he picked up a calf injury in last week’s heavy defeat to Celtic.
The defender then missed the 2-2 home draw with Kilmarnock as he awaited the results of a scan to identify the extent of the problem.
“Jordan McGhee had his scan and will be out for a period,” Docherty said.
“Fortunately in that period there are two breaks in the schedule.
“We expect him to miss the next two games but hopefully be available after the second break.”
That will see McGhee absent for two home matches against Aberdeen and Rangers next Wednesday and the following Sunday respectively.