McIntyre says Dundee fans were right to boo his men
JIM McINTYRE admitted Dundee’s fans were right to jeer his team as they slumped to the bottom of the Premiership table.
Despite going ahead after just 24 seconds of yesterday’s relegation showdown in Paisley, Dundee failed to capitalise on home nerves and contrived to lose a fifth consecutive league fixture to their nearest rivals.
More galling to the manager than the equaliser claimed by Danny Mullen after just 12 minutes, was his players’ reaction to Brad Lyons’ second-half header.
Dundee’s failure to apply significant pressure in the closing stages led to a reaction from the healthy away crowd of 1,670.
‘We’d be heckled if we had lost anyway, but the fans were entitled to be disappointed with our response,’ said McIntyre. ‘We had more of the first half than St Mirren but it’s all about the reaction to the second goal. The players have been told. If we want to get out of the situation we are in, then we need to stand up and be counted. We started the game so well, the way we wanted to.
‘We caused them real bother in the opening 15, 20 minutes. We then lost a goal against the run of play. But the most disappointing thing was the reaction to the second goal.
‘That’s where we’ve got to stand up and be counted. It gave St Mirren belief and desire.’
After almost earning a point against Celtic last time out, the lack of fortitude surprised McIntyre. ‘That’s the first time I’ve seen that side of us,’ he sighed. ‘I didn’t like it and the players are aware of that. We had a brilliant away support and we let them down in terms of that reaction. The result is a sore one.
‘The second goal is ridiculous. It’s a free header at the back post.’
Midfielder Lyons, who capitalised on Dundee’s suspect defending to head home the winner, gave Buddies manager Oran Kearney a welcome shot in the arm.
For the 21-year-old, formerly a Kearney disciple at Coleraine and now reunited with his old gaffer on loan from Blackburn, it was a moment to savour.
The Northern Irishman admits he would love to help Kearney keep St Mirren up.
‘The goal could be significant for us and I’m delighted for the manager because he’s been frustrated in the last few weeks because we’ve played well and not got results,’ said Lyons. ‘It would be huge if I
could play a part in keeping the club up. I’m here to get experience at a good level but I don’t want to be a player coming to a club for personal reasons. I want to help St Mirren and thankfully I’ve done that with the goal.’
With seven games still remaining, Kearney was careful not to overstate the day’s result.
‘First and foremost, I have to say that it was nice for the fans to get that joyous feeling at the end of the game,’ he said.
‘I appreciate how the game was built up from a media aspect, but I said beforehand that it wouldn’t decide a huge amount.
‘We’re hoping it’s a springboard, that it will give us that catalyst to kick on — but it’s just three points.
‘There were no high fives or back slapping in the changing room. We know the work that lies ahead.’