Boss McCann salutes Dundee’s ‘relentless’ determination to win

Posted Sunday, February 18, 2018 by PA

Dundee boss Neil McCann praised his side’s hunger as they bounced back from their Rugby Park collapse to snatch victory over Partick Thistle.

The Dark Blues boss was scathing of his team’s display as they threw away three points with Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat to 10-man Kilmarnock.

But they responded to that slip-up by mounting a fightback of their own at the Energy Check Stadium.

Conor Sammon had given Alan Archibald’s Jags the lead three minutes before half-time with his seventh goal in as many games, but on-loan Hibs striker Simon Murray opened his Dundee account with two late scrambled strikes as the boyhood Dark Blues supporter sealed a dramatic 2-1 win for McCann’s men.

“I think it is a reward for a relentless push to get the win,” said the Dens boss. “I know how Archie will be feeling and can sympathise with him.

“After Tuesday night that is a much-needed good feeling. I had words with them at half-time as our midfield was too attached to the defence and they were getting joy down the right side.

“I thought we dominated the second half, although they were still a threat. I am so happy for Simon because I felt he was snatching at things since making his move here.

“He wanted to get off the mark and he needed that break. I was delighted with A-Jay Leitch-Smith for his first one and then he was sniffing about for the second. The boys deserve it.”

The result sees Dundee move seven points clear of the automatic relegation spot, but leaves Thistle perched just one in front of Hamilton in the play-off slot, with Accies set to play the first of three games in hand against Rangers on Sunday.

Archibald admitted his side paid the price for not adding to their lead after seeing Chris Erskine denied by Elliot Parish’s impressive block early in the second period.

He said: “I thought we merited the victory up to the 84th minute. We had a lot of good play and should have seen the game out, there’s no doubt about that.

“We had chances to put the game out of sight. We had some good patterns of play, but it’s about the result. We had a great chance to make it 2-0, but their keeper made a brilliant save from Chris Erskine.

“If it had gone to two then it was game over. I felt we dealt with the pressure they had, but they were also going to have a spell which they did do.

“Abdul Osman feels there was a foul in the build-up to the equalising goal, he was robbed and they scored from it.

“Our game management could have been better, Dundee were having a go and it was on for us to get the ball forward earlier. The next two games against Hamilton and Ross County are now massive.

“We need to lick our wounds and be ready for next week.”