MULLEN: I CAN LIFT THE BLUES
Striker makes his point to boss McPake
IF Dundee are serious about challenging for a Premiership play-off position after a stuttering campaign to date, they are going to need game-changers.
Danny Mullen insists he couldn’t have done much more than climb off the bench and rescue a point with an assist and a goal at Cappielow on Saturday.
His intervention was badly needed by a Dark Blues side whose pre-match preparations had been thrown into disarray by a positive Covid test for playmaker Charlie Adam.
Now Mullen hopes to have forced manager James McPake’s hand as he ponders his selection for tomorrow night’s crucial visit of an Inverness team under the temporary stewardship of former Dens Park boss Neil McCann.
Like Caley Thistle, Dundee have three games in hand on most of their rivals but must embark on a winning run as they enter a packed schedule of six games in 18 days.
‘I was delighted to get on, make an impact and get a point, especially after going behind,’ said former Livingston and St Mirren striker Mullen.
‘Obviously nobody wants to be on the bench but I found myself on the bench again this week.
‘However, every time I go on the pitch I just try to give the manager a bit of a headache for the next game coming up. Hopefully I’ve done that.
‘Starting on Tuesday we need to get a win and build a bit of momentum again and go on an unbeaten run, like we did earlier in the season.
‘In this league you need to pick up momentum and go on a run.
‘We’ll all need to be ready for the weeks coming up as we have a busy schedule. Having the games coming up thick and fast is good, especially if you’re getting wins.
‘You’d much rather have the points on the board but we’re looking forward to these games coming up.’
Trailing to Craig McGuffie’s sublime first-half strike for Morton, McPake introduced Mullen for the ineffective Osman Sow after 63 minutes. Two minutes later, Dundee were level as Mullen flicked a clearance into the path of Jason Cummings for the equaliser.
Then, after Luca Colville had restored the Greenock side’s advantage with his first goal of the campaign, Mullen displayed his predatory instincts by being in the right place at the right time to head home Paul McMullan’s cross with just nine minutes left.
Mullen is confident he can form a prolific partnership with Cummings if the pair are given a run together in McPake’s team.
‘Whatever the manager decides to do, I’ll be ready,’ he said. ‘If it’s me and Jason up front, I’ll look forward to it.
‘I think it would be a good partnership — we read each other well and play off each other well. I won some flick-ons for him and he finished it well.’
Morton’s winless run has now stretched to nine games, and Colville admitted this draw felt like a defeat after they twice let the lead slip from their grasp.
Interim manager Anton McElhone revealed there was a frank exchange of views among the players afterwards — but Colville insists that simply shows how much they care as they strive to push away from the relegation play-off zone. Too many draws are not helping them, however.
‘Obviously, I’m happy to get my first goal of the season, it’s been a long time coming,’ he said.
‘But I’m also disappointed as this felt more like a loss than getting a point.
‘It was two poor goals that we conceded and we have to sort that out between ourselves.
‘But that’s what’s needed and it shows people care.’
MORTON (4-1-4-1): McAdams; Ledger, McLean, McGinty, Strapp; Jacobs; Blues, Nesbitt, Colville (Lyons 88), McGuffie (Johnson 75); Salkeld (Orsi 61). Subs not used: Fjortoft, Muirhead, Oliver, Lyon, Sterling. Booked: Salkeld, Ledger. DUNDEE (4-3-3): Hamilton; Elliott, Ashcroft, Fontaine, Marshall; Robertson (Anderson 60), Byrne (McDaid 73), McGowan; McMullan, Cummings, Sow (Mullen 63). Subs not used: Legzdins, Kerr, Fagan-Walcott, Afolabi. Booked: McMullen, Sow. Man of the match: Craig McGuffie. Referee: Craig Napier.