Nicholl’s ‘key role’ in signing of keeper

McPake says Dark Blues very fortunate to secure emergency cover so soon

Dundee said assistant manager Jimmy Nicholl played a key role in helping secure on-loan goalkeeper Conor Hazard.

The Dark Blues were left dealing with a serious selection blow after regular number one Jack Hamilton had to have surgery on his appendix.

They moved quickly to ask Celtic if they could take Hazard on an emergency loan and the move was helped along by Dens assistant boss Nicholl’s knowledge of the 21-year-old from his time coaching the Northern Ireland squad.

Dundee manager James McPake said: “We are very fortunate that we have been able to get Conor in so quickly, and I am grateful to Celtic for helping us out with that.

“Jimmy Nicholl played a key role in this. He has worked with him in international squads and Conor made his debut for Northern Ireland in a highpressure game against Costa Rica, who were planning for the World Cup at the time.

“He did OK in the game and also has under-21 caps so Jimmy knows all about him. I have also seen enough of him from the development squads to know that he is rated very highly.”

Meanwhile, McPake revealed that Hamilton originally thought he was suffering from a stomach bug.

The Dundee boss said: “Jack came in after the game on Saturday complaining of pains in his stomach.

“We thought it was maybe just an upset stomach but he went home and called in the next day to say it was getting worse and that he was off to hospital.

“He has since had keyhole surgery on his appendix. It’s a real hammer blow for us because he has been fantastic.”

Dundee are obviously hoping their regular first-choice goalie gets well soon but he could be sidelined for several weeks.

McPake added: “It is difficult to predict (the length of absence) because he is a goalkeeper and has to dive about but hopefully it will be no longer than a month. Even saying that, I don’t want to put pressure on him and we will wait to get him right.”

Meanwhile new Ayr boss Mark Kerr appointed Michael McArdle as his assistant manager.

McArdle has been head of coaching at St Mirren and prior to that was the academy director at Forth Valley Academy.

He has also provided detailed match analysis reports and talent identification for Dundee United, Aberdeen, St Mirren and many other clubs.

McArdle was also part of an interim management team at Falkirk.

Former Dundee United and Dundee midfielder Kerr, whose debut game in charge will be against the Dark Blues tonight, told the club’s official website: “Michael brings a lot more than a normal assistant manager would. I have worked with him previously at Falkirk and he has an extremely wide range of skills.

“He has provided in-depth opposition analysis for numerous big teams in Scotland and is extremely adept at identifying talent so will be a big help in terms of recruitment. Michael’s qualities will ensure that we have a more rounded management team.”

Sandy Stewart, who held the Ayr caretaker role after Ian McCall joined Partick, has left Somerset Park.