Dundee must learn from last year, says Scott Bain

[News Bot]

Scott Bain says Dundee must learn a lesson from their own not-too-distant past ahead of the visit of newly-promoted Rangers today.

The goalie is urging the Dark Blues not to get too carried away by their Premiership start after kicking off in fine fashion with a 3-1 win at Ross County last weekend.

It was just 12 months ago that the Dark Blues served up probably the stand-out performance of Paul Hartley’s Dens Park era when they blew away Kilmarnock 4-0 on the opening day at Rugby Park.

But things did not quite turn out the way the players or fans hoped, as Dundee ended the campaign in lowly eighth, two places below their finish the season previous.

“We need to not get too carried away with our start,” said the 24-year-old keeper.

“We did it last year and the season didn’t quite pan out how we would have hoped.

“But it is a good building block for the Rangers game.

“This is massive, it is on TV and the whole of Scotland will be watching.

“It’s a game I am personally looking forward to.”

Reflecting on the Staggies win, Bain says it was far from pretty.

But what it lacked in style was more than made up for in terms of commitment.

“It wasn’t our best footballing performance but in terms of hard work and taking our chances it was excellent,” he said.

“We dug in. We showed character. In the end it was a great win.

“Defensively it was very satisfying because in years gone by when we have conceded a goal late on we have crumbled. We didn’t last week.

“We hope to continue that this week by giving Rangers a game.”

One of the big questions this weekend is how Dundee will cope in the aftermath of Greg Stewart’s move to Birmingham City.

The attacker was completing his switch to St Andrews today after agreeing personal terms.

However, Bain says the players have proven there is life without Stewart, and the recently-departed Kane Hemmings.

He said: “We know we have good players here. For that reason it is part and parcel that other clubs will be interested.

“It is just something we need to get on with. And I think we have done just that.”

The departure of Hemmings and the recent end to Stewart’s time at Dundee has led some to wonder whether Bain will be next.

He says he’s purely concentrating on playing well in goal for the Dark Blues.

“I’m a Dundee player and that’s how I think it will be for the rest of the season,” said Bain.

“I’m 100% focused on being a Dundee player.

“Maybe the departure of others will give me more responsibility. That is something I can thrive on.

“I can only do so much, though, unless the fans want me to come up and start scoring from corners to replace the goals of Kane and Greg!

“But in all seriousness this is a big season for me.

“And I am looking forward to spending it with Dundee.”

On the extra responsibility, he added: “In terms of in the changing-room and on the pitch I am still young but I feel I have extra responsibility because of the amount of games I have played.

“I know what I can bring and I hope to help others in the team.”

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