DENS BOSS McGHEE VOWS TO WIN OVER DOUBTERS

MARK McGhee says he’s determined to prove the doubters wrong by keeping Dundee in the Premiership. the 64-year-old was unveiled as the club’s surprise choice to replace James McPake yesterday, just 24 hours after they decided to part company with their young manager. McPake, 37, had led the Dark Blues to promotion through the play-offs last season but they currently sit second bottom of the table just a point ahead of St Johnstone. Managing director John Nelms — who read out a statement but refused to answer questions at yesterday’s press conference — decided the time was right for a change, dispensing with McPake’s services despite describing him as ‘like a son to us’. McGhee’s appointment has provoked a ferocious reaction from Dundee fans, but the former Aberdeen legend, who has not managed in Scotland for five years and is banned from the dugout for the first six games of his tenure due to an outstanding SFA suspension, insists he’ll show he’s the right man for the job. ‘I am not asking for patience, because we need results quickly,’ said McGhee (pictured), who has managed a host of clubs including Reading, Leicester City, Wolves, Millwall, Brighton, Motherwell and the Dons. ‘What I am asking for is the benefit of the doubt. I want people to look at my record — and my record in this sort of situation is good, as well as multiple promotions. ‘One of the things I cite is that a lot of these clubs I was at for three-and-ahalf years. ‘You don’t stay at clubs for three-anda-half years if you are not successful. I had that at Reading, Wolves, Millwall and Brighton, while I chose to leave Motherwell when I left for the first time after two years. ‘the worst experience I had in terms of my performance was at Aberdeen. I did not perform well at Aberdeen and I admit that. ‘the rest of the time generally I would like to think I have been successful both in terms of outcome and style. ‘I know I have something to prove. I do not have a problem with that. I took the job knowing that — and I am man enough to take that on.’ McGhee, who admitted he sympathises with McPake, accepted that the one sure-fire way of winning over the doubters is by keeping Dundee in the top flight. ‘Absolutely,’ he said. ‘I have to prove myself again. I am here to work for the supporters and I will be working every minute of the day that I can to keep Dundee up. ‘I want, like any other manager, the supporters to love me. When I do eventually leave here, I hope they remember me fondly and the fact I have been a success.’ Since he left Motherwell in 2017, McGhee has worked in england and admitted fearing he would struggle to find a job in Scotland again because of the touchline suspension hanging over him. that followed his last game in charge of the Steelmen at Aberdeen when he became involved in a verbal exchange with a Dons supporter that escalated into an argument with the referee and

fourth official. While banned from the dugout for his first six games for Dundee, starting with Sunday’s trip to Celtic Park, the ex-Scotland striker is confident he will be able to communicate exactly what he wants from the stand to his assistant Simon Rusk — who McGhee worked under at Stockport — and McPake’s former right-hand man Dave Mackay. ‘I thought my six-match ban would possibly be a barrier to me getting another job in Scotland,’ he said. ‘I have to say, a lot of it is my own doing. ‘Not because I got the ban, because I didn’t deserve it, I don’t care what anyone says. But I didn’t go to the hearing. I’d left Motherwell and I more or less said: “Stick it”. ‘I was too upset and had gone back down south. I didn’t go to the meeting and got what I deserved in that respect. ‘But one incident at Aberdeen that wasn’t really my doing is not going to define me, that’s for sure. Having the opportunity to manage again in Scotland at a club like Dundee is fantastic. ‘It’s a dream to manage again and this is a great opportunity.’ While relieved that the ban did not prove to be an insurmountable obstacle, McGhee also acknowledged that the presence of Gordon Strachan — Dundee’s technical director and his former Aberdeen team-mate — proved influential in his appointment. ‘We know the reality of it,’ said McGhee, who was also Strachan’s No 2 when he was Scotland boss. ‘Without Gordon it would be unlikely I would be sitting here. How can I deny that? I can’t. ‘I now have to go and prove Gordon right in backing me when John asked him the question: “Would Mark McGhee be a suitable candidate?”. ‘Whatever happens, Gordon won’t hold it against me. He knows I will do my best.’