Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
McCracken aiming to settle after being ‘here, there and everywhere’
JON McCracken is hoping to enjoy a sustained run of games for Dundee as he bids to end a “mixed” season on a high.
The 23-year-old keeper initially moved to the Dark Blues on loan from Norwich last July, but, after just four appearances, he was recalled by his parent club in August and then allowed to join Accrington on a temporary basis in late September.
McCracken then got the chance to return to Dundee in January, but he has had to be patient to get his chance in Tony Docherty’s team as Trevor Carson had established himself as the No. 1 in his absence.
Injury to the Northern Irishman, however, allowed McCracken to start the last two games against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.
“It’s been a bit of a mixed season,” said McCracken.
“I’ve been here, there and everywhere. Getting recalled (from Dundee) wasn’t an ideal situation, but I’m grateful to the management team for bringing me back and giving me an opportunity to play, so, hopefully, I can put a run of games together and repay them.”
Carson is now fit again, but McCracken hopes to retain his place for today’s trip to St Johnstone.
Out of contract with Norwich in the summer, he knows the importance of taking any chance he gets to impress.
“No-one grows up wanting to be a sub goalkeeper, we all want to be playing, but goalkeeper is a unique position, only one person gets the jersey,” said McCracken.
“A right-back can come on for 10 minutes and get the manager’s trust that way, but, with a keeper, you either start or you don’t start.
“It’s been a tough season, but I’m glad I’m playing now.
“I’m out of contract at the end of the season, so I’m just kind of weighing up my options just now. It’s still quite early though.
“A lot of teams don’t know what position they’re going to be in and I don’t know where I stand within that. I’m just enjoying playing now and, when it comes to the end of the season, we’ll gather thoughts on that.
“I’m not really looking too far forward into what’s happening next season. There’s a job to be done in the here and now, so I’ll let the rest of it take care of itself.”
Dundee – promoted from the Championship last summer – appear to be in a two-way battle with Hibs to secure the last top-six place.
They are two points behind the Edinburgh side with a game in hand.
“Any club coming up is usually expected to be the favourites to go straight back down, so I think we’ve surpassed that expectation but I wouldn’t say we’ve overachieved,” said McCracken.
“Even though our main goal is still to stay in the Premiership, the manager put a really good squad together that is capable of getting into the top six.”