Scott calm after side slides into drop zone

DUNDEE MANAGER REFUSING TO PANIC

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DUNDEE manager Jocky Scott insists no one at Dens Park is panicking about the club’s league position.

The Dark Blues slipped into the Division 1 relegation zone after last weekend’s draw with Partick Thistle but remain within three points of fifth-placed Clyde.

Veteran manager Scott, who replaced Alex Rae last month, knows he has a major job on his hands to turn around Dundee’s fortunes. But he does not expect to be involved in a relegation struggle.

He said: “No one can ever say they are too good to be relegated, so I wouldn’t get involved in that, but our league position is not a huge concern.

“This league is so tight and if we win our next game and some of the teams around us don’t we’d shoot right up the table.

“It’s so close between most of the teams and one result will make a huge difference.

“When I look at the squad we have I’m confident we’ll be up there at the right end of the table at the end of the season.”

Dundee’s squad has been suffering from a flu bug over the last week and the latest player to succumb is Eddie Malone.

Eric Paton, Bob Davidson, Bryan Deasley and Darren Williams all suffered last week but, while illness was a factor in the team’s lethargic showing against the Jags, Scott has made it clear he expects much better.

He said: “Eddie Malone was feeling unwell at the weekend and played through it. But he’s feeling terrible now so I’ve told him to stay away for a few days.

“Having players out and players under the weather was no excuse for the performance. I felt we offered nothing when we had the ball and this week’s training will be geared towards improving on that aspect of the game.”

Dundee will not seek to extend Rhian Dodds's loan deal from Kilmarnock.

The Canadian international joined the club in October but has struggled to find fitness.

Dodds's contract was due to expire next week but, as he is injured, Scott has allowed him to return to Rugby Park.