Kerr hails impact of young Dark Blues

STAND-IN skipper Cammy Kerr hailed the contribution of Dundee’s young guns to a vital victory at the C&G Systems Stadium. Pushed all the way by their League One opponents, the Dark Blues only reached the last 16 thanks to a Leigh Griffiths penalty. Kerr was involved in the game’s major flashpoint when Dumbarton’s Ross MacLean was red-carded by referee Colin Steven after an off-the-ball clash with the Dundee defender in the first half. And he praised the performances of young midfielders Max Anderson and Josh Mulligan — the latter having just returned from a loan spell at Peterhead. He said: ‘The young lads in the middle did great. Max has been a mainstay in the team and Josh did well, too, so all credit to them. ‘We needed them to be strong against a team who gave it a real go.We dominated in terms of chances, but the sending-off swung it our way and we created a bit more after that.’

Referring to the dismissal, with MacLean deemed guilty of elbowing him in the stomach, Kerr said: ‘I was holding him off. I’m not one to go down easily.’ Half-time sub Griffiths made the decisive contribution when Joe McKee was penalised for handballing an Anderson cross and the former Scotland striker netted from the spot, despite Sons goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom getting a hand to the effort. Kerr missed with a free header from a corner shortly after and Dumbarton threw everything at the visitors only to find the Dundee defence tough to break down. In added-on time, Conner Duthie could have taken the game to extra-time but his overhead kick went wide. Dumbarton boss Stevie Farrell said: ‘It’s very difficult when you are down to ten men, but I haven’t seen the incident. My keeper’s had one save to make, and it’s a penalty that’s beaten him.’ Dundee boss James McPake’s attention now switches to Wednesday’s vital trip to Perth to face fellow Premiership strugglers St Johnstone, who crashed out of the Scottish Cup to Kelty Hearts. Looking to halt a run of six straight league defeats and potentially put Dundee five points clear of Saints, Kerr said: ‘Today was all about getting a result, which was probably expected of us, but we need to continue it in the league games.’ Meanwhile, Dundee last night confirmed striker Jason Cummings has left the club. The former Hibernian player has been linked with Australian side Central Coast Mariners.