‘KAWASHIMA WILL BOUNCE BACK’

DUNDEE UNITED defender Ryan McGowan has backed keeper Eiji Kawashima to bounce back from his derby debut disaster. The 72-times capped Japanese international was given a baptism of fire at Dens Park on Saturday after he was brought in to bolster what manager Mixu Paatelainen branded a ‘soft and sloppy’ defence. But his failure to collect a Nicky Low free-kick left an empty net for Kane Hemmings to rifle home a Dark Blues equaliser before half-time. It provided the platform for Dundee to go on and win a game which plunged their doomed neighbours further adrift at the bottom of the Premiership. Kawashima had to sit an English exam as part of his work-permit application but McGowan laughed off suggestions that communication is a problem with the new Japanese keeper. ‘Eiji will be a very big signing for us,’ said the Australian international. ‘He will bring a lot of experience to our side and will do well for the rest of the season. ‘He is a confident guy who is eager to speak and help out. ‘We were actually laughing about him having to take an English test because he probably speaks better English than half the people in the team. He speaks about six languages. ‘I would like to see Simon Murray take an English test. He would fail — 100 per cent! ‘The work-permit application thing has gone against us because Eiji could have been here about five weeks ago. ‘But I thought coming into a big derby game like this, he actually performed very well.’ Relegation now looks inevitable for United. Since Paatelainen replaced Jackie McNamara, the troubled Tannadice team have taken only five points from 11 league matches. A miracle is required but McGowan has become the latest in a long line of players to insist the team can turn it around. ‘I suppose I am on repeat in saying we don’t seem to be getting the breaks,’ he said. ‘We are creating chances and minimising the chances against us, but the other teams seem to be getting the breaks. ‘We are disappointed to have lost the derby. But if anyone has been to watch our games, they will know that we aren’t getting played off the park by anyone. ‘We are all working hard to put things right and turn it around.’