Docherty glad both Dundee and Kilmarnock had stellar seasons
Former No.2 delighted to see old pal McInnes doing well in Ayrshire
DUNDEE boss Tony Docherty is delighted both he and Kilmarnock counterpart Derek McInnes will be able to reflect on fruitful seasons after today’s campaign-concluding showdown between their teams at Dens Park.
Docherty has led newly promoted Dundee to a sixth-placed finish in the cinch Premiership in his first season as a manager after spending most of his coaching career prior to that as assistant to McInnes at St Johnstone, Bristol City, Aberdeen and Killie.
The pair remain close and the Dundee boss is pleased his long-time friend has landed the cinch Premiership manager of the year award after guiding Killie to fourth place.
“No surprise to me, once again Derek’s led his team to a fantastic season,” said Docherty. “He’s been brilliant and been justifiably awarded manager of the year.
“He’ll be looking to finish the season on a high as well. I felt a bit sorry for him because Celtic’s title celebrations [at Rugby Park] on
Wednesday probably overshadowed Kilmarnock’s last game at home, but I think they celebrated quite well at St Mirren last weekend.
“He’s done a brilliant job and they justified that European spot. Hats off to them. We’ve been in the arena together [competing against each other] all season and it will be the same this weekend, but after the game it will be back to being close friends and both of us reflecting on successful seasons.
“It’s quite apt that we’re going into a game against each other at this time of the season and both of us have achieved what we set out to achieve.”
Dundee have failed to win any of their last seven matches, but Docherty is adamant that should not detract from their season overall.
“When you look at our first game of the season against Bonnyrigg in the Viaplay Cup, we’ve come a long way since then,” said Docherty. “It’s been a season of real achievement for the players and we need to remember that.
“This game is an opportunity to celebrate this season of achievement with the fans. When I came into the job, I wanted to have an identity and a style of play for the team, and I particularly wanted something that
created a synergy between the players and the fans.
“Of course it’s really important that we achieved our objectives of initially staying up and then getting into the top six, but for me the real satisfaction comes from seeing that relationship that we’ve built, and hopefully it’s something we can use as a platform to build even further next year.”
McInnes, meanwhile, insists it will not be “shorts and sandals” time at Dens Park.
Killie are assured of finishing fourth and have qualified for Europe next season and the boss will now give opportunities to those players who have not featured as often as they would have liked and “not done a lot wrong to be out the team” on the trip to Tayside.
However, that does not mean Killie will be taking it easy and McInnes is banking on natural competitiveness to try to end the season with a win.
McInnes, who thanked the efforts of those around him for his individual accolade, said: “Our job has been done, we have finished exactly where we hoped for, exceeded expectations.
“The reward of European football is magnificent.
“The fans have been so appreciative of the players, as I am.
“But tomorrow, once the ball rolls, that competitiveness that is in you, you still want to win the game.
“So we are not going up there with our shorts and sandals on. We are there to try to win the game of football.
“But it is a chance to relax, there is nothing on the game for both teams really.
“Dundee have done their work getting into the top six but knowing Tony, they will want to win the game as will we, once the ball rolls.”
Killie’s loan defender Corrie Ndaba helped the Rugby Park outfit into Europe, while parent club Ipswich reached the Premier League after back-to-back promotions.
The 24-year-old Irishman, who has a year left on his Ipswich contract, has to wait to see what the future holds.
He said: “It has been a good season for both clubs. Obviously I have been here so have been focusing on that and happy to secure fourth place.
“To do double promotion at Ipswich – I have never seen that – it is incredible.
“There is no plan at the minute. We were just focusing on this season, getting over the line, getting into Europe and there is obviously conversations to be had in the summer.
“Nothing has been spoken about. There will be conversations with Ipswich and Kilmarnock in the summer and we will see what happens. I am just focusing on Saturday and we will see where we go from there.”
It’s quite apt that we’re going into a game against each other at this time of the season and both of us have achieved what we set out to achieve