McGowan delight as Dark Blues show fight

PAUL McGowAn was delighted Dundee proved they can win ugly and he insists pretty football won’t seal promotion back to the Premiership. Dundee are in the mix for the title, just six points off top spot, following their 2-1 win over Ayr United on Friday night. McGowan was furious when Dundee allowed their two-goal lead at Somerset Park to be cut before the interval and wasn’t slow in letting his team-mates know they need to dig in to see out the game. Having blown a lead against Partick Thistle the previous week with a late collapse, McGowan was thrilled James McPake’s side proved they can withstand pressure to see out a win. McGowan said: ‘It wasn’t a pretty game. There were lots of fouls in it but I’m actually glad we won a game like that because it’s answered a few questions. ‘I didn’t know if we had that in us. Against Partick Thistle, we played some of the best football I’ve been involved with in that first half but then we capitulated. ‘I said in the dressing room at half-time that, if we want to get out of this league, it’s games like the Ayr one that we need to win. ‘It’s great to see it out and we’ve answered a few critics. we mixed it up and got the win we deserved. ‘we challenge each other in the dressing room — we do it daily. ‘I’m not saying that we’re fighting each other but we do have a go. I’m probably the main man for it. There are big characters and that’s what you need to win this league. ‘one thing I’ve seen so far is that it’s always going to be a battle. There will be chances to play nice football here and there but teams make it tough for you every week. ‘we rolled up our sleeves, took the kicks and saw it out without a clear-cut chance against us.’ McGowan reckons Dundee possess a squad as strong as any of their title rivals but knows it will take more than that to secure promotion. He said: ‘This league has surprised me. I look at our squad and it’s as good as any but a good squad on its own won’t win you the title. It’s about having characters who will do things like take the ball under pressure. ‘It was a big statement against Ayr and we need to carry that on by winning at Alloa on Tuesday.’