Manager Neil McCann spoke of his delight after watching his side grab a last minute winner to ensure the first game of the 2017/18 was a winning one. There was debate over the scorer of the winner as both Jack Hendry and Faissal El Bakhtaoui appeared to help it into the net, the manager told us, “I’m absolutely delighted. I know there is a wee bit of argument over who actually got it. I thought that Jack got it. It looks like he has maybe actually headed it off of the back of Bakhtaoui but I don’t really care.”
“It showed a lot to me of where their mindset is. I was very angry that we conceded the goal so late on but we have been working really hard in pre-season that there is always winners. There is always a prize if you win the training games and that mindset absolutely kicked in towards the end there.”
“Although it’s our first competitive game of the season and there is still loads to work on, there are lots of stuff that I’m unhappy with in general play. The pitch was dry, we are playing with two wide players and I don’t think we were puncturing our passes enough, we weren’t moving it quickly enough but the most pleasing thing is it’s a win. I don’t care how we get there, it’s the mentality of making sure we do get there and get the win and they did that tonight, I’m so happy for them. Had we come away from here (without the win) it’s not the best way to start a cup competition.”
“The most pleasing thing for me was there was a group of men there who didn’t feel sorry for themselves. They got the ball, they got it back, we got it wide and we put quality into the box. Big Moussa coming on provides a threat. Whether he is dragging people away, and big Jack’s desire to go in, whether it comes off of Bakh or not I don’t really care, it was the desire of the team to go and search for that winner and I’m delighted we got it.”
Another new signing Sofien Moussa found the net after coming off the bench to a tremendous reception from the large travelling support. “He’s only had a few days training with us, so to come on and offer that threat. You can see how powerful he is, he can take it on his chest, moves it off his upper body, he is physical, he just attracts people. We have a lot of quick players round about, a lot of players who can play off into those areas and if he is attracting that attention it gives them a bit more space.”
“His goal was just classic what I’ve seen and why I’ve brought him to the club, he is a presence in the box and it’s a great swivel and finish, I’m so happy for him. It’s important a player hits the ground running when he comes to a new team, never mind a new team, a new country. So he needs to learn the culture, he needs to learn not to jump on walls after he scores but I’ll let him away with that one.”
DeeTV subscribers can watch video interviews with Neil McCann and Jack Hendry on www.dundeefc.co.uk/deetv now.
Full match replay is also available.
