Gary Harkins: I Won’T Let Dee’S Route To Top-Six Finish Slide Off Track

[JoeCovenant]

Perhaps it’s fitting that, given the well-known song, Gary Harkins should be travelling the road and the miles to Dundee on an almost daily basis. And the mercurial midfielder is confident Dundee’s route to the top six can also be a smooth journey. His base is Greenock and the talented midfield man makes the near 200-mile round trip several times a week to play and train for Dundee.

“I don’t mind the journey. It’s not a problem,†said Gary, who will turn 31 on January 2. Hopefully, it will not only be a Happy New Year for him but also a happy end to this year. â€œI’m in my third spell with Dundee and really love it here,†he said after helping Dundee beat Motherwell on Saturday.

"Chris Millar of St Johnstone also lives in Greenock and travels to Perth every day and going up and down the road has been part and parcel of my football life."

Throughout his career, Gary has been a bit of a football nomad. He started off his professional career at Blackburn Rovers, who sent him on loan to Huddersfield Town, Bury and Blackpool. After being transferred to Grimsby Town, he came back to his native Scotland to play for Partick Thistle before coming to Dundee for his first stint with the Dens Parkers.

A move to Kilmarnock followed before a return to Dundee. St Mirren was his next port of call then it was a loan move to Oldham Athletic before he arrived back at Dens Park. He came off the substitutes bench in the 28th minute against Motherwell to replace the injured Greg Stewart and played an integral role in Dundee<br />getting all three points.

“I’m happy to do my bit,†he explained. "Obviously, I want to play as many minutes as possible and, whether I’m on from the start or come off the bench, I’m just pleased to be playing and<br />making a contribution.â€

Dundee are sitting sixth in the Premiership and Gary sees no reason as to why they cannot remain a top-six team.

“There is no doubt in my mind we have what it takes to make the top six,†he went on. “That’s what we are aiming for and, hopefully, we will keep on<br />winning to ensure we get there.â€

Dundee were put on their winning way against Motherwell thanks to a well-taken Rory Loy goal.

The striker perfectly guided a Riccardo Calder ball home, and Gary applauded the finish. 

“It was great movement by Rory and a different-class finish which Rory showed real skill to execute.†Gary is a fan of the striker Dundee brought in from Falkirk. â€œNot only does Rory get goals but he absolutely works his socks off. Scoring goals and working hard, that’s just exactly what you want from a striker,†Gary went on. 

The experienced midfield man will now enjoy the break until Dundee head for Hamilton a week on Saturday. Whether he starts or whether he’s a substitute, Gary’s attitude will, as always, be “I’ll do my bit for the teamâ€.

Talking of players who do just that, Gary hopes former Dee Kevin MacDonald gets another international call-up. The Wolves midfield man has been forced out of the Scotland squad for the Poland and Gibraltar games due to a back injury. When he was at Oldham, Gary played against Kevin.

He said: “Kevin looked great. He’s a good footballer who has a lot of strength and he has a really good future ahead of him. Hopefully, his Scotland chance will come again.â€

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