Midfielder Backs New Dundee Pair To Make An Impact

[JoeCovenant]

Dundee have unearthed another couple of gems in James Vincent and Danny Williams, according to former Inverness team-mate Nick Ross.

However, the midfielder admits the additions are set to make holding down his spot in the Dark Blues’ midfield a lot harder.

“I have no doubt the signing of those two will improve us. They will add depth but also competition for places,†said Ross.

“We have a good team at the moment. But the moves the manager has made so far show we will be even better next season.

“If we keep hold of the players, who will no doubt attract interest, as well as add one or two more, I think we will be ready to battle for the top six again next season.â€

On what Dark Blues fans can expect from their newest additions next season, Ross continued: “James has been injured a lot of the season, so maybe the fans haven’t seen too much of him.

“But he is a very good player on the ball and he works really hard, which will go down well with the fans.

“He is more of a central player, so it will be competition for me and Gowser (Paul McGowan).

“Danny has played there also, although he has played just about everywhere for Inverness — up front, on the right, on the left, through the middle.

“He is quick and strong and also very tidy on the ball.â€

Ross reckons it is yet another masterstroke by manager Paul Hartley, who has built himself quite a track record for sourcing and signing players with either something to prove or first-team football to find.

“The gaffer is good at finding players who have a point to prove or haven’t been getting regular games and giving them their chance,†said Ross, who himself was not a regular at previous club Caley when he decided to put pen to paper at Dens Park.

“He did that with me. My move worked out perfectly coming here.

“I have played a lot more games than I could have hoped for, although I am certainly not going to complain about that.

“I was hungry when I arrived. Fans and other players might look at someone like me when I signed and ask ‘why are we signing a player who couldn’t even get a game for his old team?’

“But I think I proved those doubts wrong and I’m sure Danny and James will do the same here after the summer.â€

Ross probably only established himself at Dundee after Kevin Thomson left for Hibs.

It was then the path was free for him to strike a partnership with Paul McGowan in the middle.

Ross continued: “It was only when I watched how Thommo played, when I was out the team, I realised what I had to do. My aim when he left was to try to emulate him.

“When I came I was a more attacking player, so I had to learn to play deeper. I think me and Gowser have been good as a partnership.â€

Meanwhile, Ross is confident Dundee can end their season on a high, despite the disappointment of missing out on the Premiership top six.

“Five games is what we have to aim to win,†he said.

“We don’t want this season to finish on a low point. If we get seventh with five wins we can at least try to end the campaign on a high.

“Losing out on the top-half place was a harsh lesson to learn for us as a squad.â€

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