Keyes hails Dundee link-up with Burnley

DUNDEE owner Tim Keyes has praised the “fantastic” link-up with Burnley that has helped boost their return to the Premiership.

Keyes is in the City of Discovery and attended the recent win at St Johnstone.

He hailed the work of manager Tony Docherty who despite being an experienced assistant took on his first job in management last summer with just three players signed up for the season.

Fast forward to now, Dundee have three fixtures to secure their top-six status over the next eight days.

Loans have been used well to help lift the newly-promoted club into the top half of the table.

That, in turn, has been aided by the strategic partnership with ALK Capital and Burnley announced earlier this year.

It has resulted in the likes of Owen Dodgson and Michael Mellon coming to Dens Park.

“It’s been fantastic working with the Burnley guys,” Keyes said.

“We were with them all week, we were down at their game on Tuesday, we’ve had ongoing conversations.

“They’ve been a huge help to us. The three players we have from them right now, we’re working with them on next year in terms of scouting.

“They have systems that are much more further evolved than ours. And so identifying key players, bringing in key players will be a great benefit to the club.”

Docherty and Keyes are set to sit down in the coming days to discuss the plan for next season.

The Dundee owner said work is already under way in the recruitment process for 2024-25.

“It’s a tribute to Tony, the players and the whole staff,” added Keyes. “When we started last year after winning the Championship I think we had three players under contract

“To build a squad like this, to be pushing the door on sixth place – top six would be a fantastic result.

“All the loan players we’ve brought in meshed really well with the players we have.

“Once again, it’s a testament to Tony to how he’s brought the team together.

“We are already looking at what the squad will look like for next year.

“We’ll enhance on the group we have and bring in some new players that will make the team better. That’s already under way.”

LEADING MEN: Dundee managing director John Nelms, left, and owner and chairman Tim Keyes have bolted together the club’s strategic partnership with Burnley.

Tony Docherty is aiming to seal a top-six place.