VINCENT: WE’RE ABLE WITHOUT KANE

JAMES VINCENT last night wished Kane Hemmings well as he gears up for a new life at Oxford United — then insisted it’s time for Dundee to move on. Vincent was sad to see Hemmings exit Dens Park in a shock £250,000 move to the English League One outfit after they triggered a buy-out clause in the 24-year-old’s contract. Hemmings’ departure has caused emotions to run high on Tayside as Dundee fans lament the loss of their prolific striker with just one week to go before the new Premiership season kicks off. But Vincent believes Hemmings, who hit 28 goals for Paul Hartley’s side last season, couldn’t turn down the opportunity and has called on all associated with the Dens outfit to fill the void as best they can. Vincent said: ‘I know Kane was fantastic for the team last season and I’ve played against him, so I know how good he can be. ‘Scoring that amount of goals he’ll be missed but it’s down to the rest of the team to chip in with goals and take them forward. ‘It’s a good move for Kane because Oxford are a big club. It looks like they’re having a real go at it this season. ‘I can understand why Kane’s gone there. I don’t know the ins-and-outs of the move, but it’s obviously appealed to him. ‘It’s been right for him and his family. It’ll be everything that he wants to do, so I wish him all the best.’ Dundee still have a slim chance to progress to the last 16 of the Betfred Cup at home to Forfar today as they bid to make amends for their shock loss away to Peterhead earlier this week. And Vincent is appealing with the Dundee fans not to turn on the players if they exit the competition today. He said: ‘We didn’t want to be in this position. It’s important the fans stick by us. It’s understandable when they get frustrated, but there’s nobody more frustrated than the lads on the pitch. ‘It means a lot to them to win games and get through but it means just as much to us. It’s something you want at every club, fans being with you. ‘Hopefully, we can give them the right result to make them go away in a positive frame of mind.’