Cammy reckons beating his old gaffer is mentor be
Cammy Kerr admits he owes Paul Hartley big time – but that won’t stop him trying to ensure there is no happy return to Dens for the Cove boss today.
The Dundee defender credits former Dark Blues gaffer Hartley with shaping his career when he was breaking through.
Kerr admits the constructive criticism Hartley gave him then has paid off.
The 27-year-old said: “I always got on really well with Paul. He was brilliant for me and certainly got the best out of me when he was here.
“I remember when I was younger someone said to me that the day we don’t get on at you, is the day you should worry.
“The ones you are on at constantly, you know you can get more out of them.
“That was definitely what he was doing with me and Paul was a big part in helping me grow up.
“I will look forward to seeing him but I hope to get one over him and take three points.”
Derek Souttar will also be thinking about an old Dens mentor when Cove’s goalkeeping coach returns to his boyhood club. Former Scotland and Dens keepers coach Billy Thomson died last weekend after a short illness and Souttar says the 64-year-old will be in his mind today.
He said: “I’ll be thinking of Billy when I go back to Dens. That’s when it will probably hit me that he’s no longer with us.
“The word legend is used too often these days but big Tommo was truly deserving of it.
“He was a great coach and an absolute gem of a guy, I have so much to thank him for. I wouldn’t have achieved what I did in my career without his inf luence throughout.
“He was so l ikeable and everyone at Dens loved him.”
Soutar, who had two stints with Dundee, added: “I’m buzzing about going back to Dens.
“I’ve still got lots of friends there but I don’t mind being unpopular among them if we beat them again.”