The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Winger set goals target
Gary Bowyer has challenged Paul Mcmullan to score 10 goals or more in a season for the first time in his career.
The Dundee winger has four to his name so far in this campaign and has netted in his last two games against Hamilton and Airdrie.
Mcmullan’s fine form was recognised when he was named the cinch Championship Player Of The Month for November earlier this week.
And boss Bowyer, who made it a Dundee double by picking up the manager of the month accolade, is demanding even more from the 26-year-old who is top of the league in terms of assists.
Bowyer said: “I am delighted for Paul personally. The number of assists that he has contributed so far this season has been fantastic.
“He has also added goals to his game and we have challenged him to get double figures.
“He is well on the way to achieving that which is something he has never done in his career before.
“I think nine is the maximum he has ever had.
“So that is a good target for him now, to add to it and kick on.”
Bowyer confessed he was surprised the pacy Mcmullan has not scored more goals considering the threat he possesses.
The 51-year-old added: “Yes, Paul should score more. When you look at the opportunities he has had this season, he could have had 10 already.
“Last week he scored but he had his header and the one at the back post where he should have done better.
“There are other games where we have thought he should score there or do better. But that’s something he is working on and looking to add to his game – he is going the right way at the moment.”
To maintain their Championship winning streak this weekend, Dundee will have to achieve something they’ve never managed to do.
An away victory will upset the history books if it comes – because the Dark Blues have never won a league match away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Granted meetings between the two clubs only stretch back to 2004, when the two sides found themselves in the same division for the first time.
But there have been 14 league fixtures between Caley Thistle and the Dee in the Highland capital.
And no Dundee wins. The only competitive victory registered by the Dark Blues at the Caledonian Stadium came in 2018 as a Scott Allan goal sent Dundee through in a Scottish Cup replay.
In those 14 games there have been seven draws and seven defeats with 14 Dundee goals and 26 scored by Inverness – and one notable Paul Mcgowan explosion.
Courier Sport takes a look at some of the memorable matches between ICT and the Dee over the years.
INVERNESS CT 1-1 DUNDEE – APRIL 20 2021
The last meeting between the sides ended in remarkable fashion.
James Mcpake was Dark Blues boss while a familiar face was in the Caley dugout as Neil Mccann took temporary charge.
There were no fans in the stands due to the pandemic but there was plenty of controversy when Inverness were reduced to nine men.
And then took the lead with six minutes to go.
Dundee’s man for the big moment that season saved Dark Blue blushes however, as Lee Ashcroft rose highest from a corner to make it 1-1 on 86 minutes.
The Dark Blues would eventually go up that season while ICT missed out on the play-offs.
INVERNESS CT 2-2 DUNDEE – DECEMBER 12 2020
Earlier that season, the Dark Blues uncovered Jordan Mcghee’s hidden midfield talent.
Coming back from injury, the versatile midfielder put in an impressive performance in Inverness, capping the display with a late equaliser.
That was after Liam Fontaine’s opening goal had been overturned by a quickfire couple of goals from Robbie Deas and James Keatings in the closing stages of the game.
INVERNESS CT 2-2 DUNDEE – FEBRUARY 4 2017
Normally this particular fixture wouldn’t stick in the mind, a February draw between two relegation candidates.
Caley Thistle would eventually finish bottom while Neil Mccann’s caretaker spell kept the Dark Blues up.
But this game saw Paul Mcgowan’s rage-o-meter strike 11. Marcus Haber and Darren O’dea goals had Dundee in good shape at half-time.
But Julen Etxabeguren’s over-eager defending changed that as referee Nick Walsh pointed to the spot twice in the second half – and sent Mcgowan into a fury at his team-mate.
Billy Mckay would net the first but Scott Bain saved the second. With 11 minutes to go, however, Dundee would rue a bunch of missed chances as Greg Tansey popped up with an equaliser.
The results did, though, spark a four-game unbeaten run that included a win over Rangers and a 5-1 thumping of Mark Mcghee’s Motherwell.
INVERNESS CT 2-1 DUNDEE – OCTOBER 27 2004
The first-ever league meeting between the sides came in the top flight.
Graham Bayne and Juanjo would seal the points for Caley Thistle with Steve Lovell getting one back for the Dee.
Playing that day were the likes of Fabian Caballero, Brent Sancho and Bobby Mann, who had made the switch from Inverness to his hometown team earlier that year.
Dundee would eventually go down in bottom spot while Inverness finished eighth.