Kane Hemmings: I Can Hit Goals In Every Game

[JoeCovenant]

Scoring goals is one thing but performances and consistency are a whole different ball game.

Frontman Kane Hemmings knows all too well that having one without the other at Scottish Premiership level just isn’t good enough.

But, finally, for the first time since his summer arrival from Barnsley, the English goal-getter feels like he’s bringing the whole package to the table when he pulls on a Dark Blues shirt.

“I definitely would say my form has improved from the start of the season,†said the striker.

“I’m showing a lot more consistency than maybe I was previously.

“When I first came, one game I was all right then the next game I wasn’t. It’s taken me a bit of time to find the performances week-in, week-out but long may it continue.â€

Scoring goals has never been a problem for Hemmings — he’s netted 12 times in 21 appearances. Producing consistent performances, though, has been.

He was hitting the back of the net earlier in the campaign but, by his own admission, his overall game was decent one week, then not up to scratch the next.

The 23-year-old scored his sixth goal in just three games at the weekend in Dundee’s derby win over rivals Dundee United.

And he reckons hitting the goal trail again is bringing out the best in his all-round game.

“Consistency and form breeds confidence for a striker. It is really important in my position,†said Hemmings.

“Every time I go on to the pitch I’m confident that, if a chance comes my way, I won’t even think twice about it and it will be in the back of the net.

“If you’re a striker and you are scoring goals, then the fans will be on your side. If you’re playing well as a striker along with scoring goals, even better.

“I feel like I am starting to do both right now which is pleasing for me personally. And I hope the fans are enjoying the ride, too.â€

Dundee have been crying out for a 20-goals-a-season forward for some time now but does Hemmings think he can be that man? He says he’ll leave that up to fate.

He’s just taking this season, his first full one in the top flight, game by game and goal by goal.

“I just want to take it goal by goal,†he continued.

“I don’t think I have had too many chances in recent weeks but I just seem to be able to finish them when they come.

“I just seem to be in the right place at the right time. If I’m still saying that at the end of the season, I will be delighted.

“I hoped to hit double figures — I’ve done that. The next one strikers look to, and are judged by, is 20 goals, which I am well on the way to.

“Hopefully, the goals keep flowing but in this position you just never know.â€

Hemmings is no stranger to a derby but he says last weekend’s 2-1 win over the Tangerines was extra special.

An U/19 Old Firm clash or a Tykes Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday or Bradford City is one thing but his second City of Discovery clash meant so much more.

“I have never started and finished a derby game and come out on the winning side, so it was a special game for me personally as well as for the team,†he said.

“We had to show character. We went a goal behind to a cracking strike and lost our captain to injury, all within the first 10 minutes or so of the game. The lads had to dig in.â€

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