Nicky Low return only positive for Paul Hartley

[News Bot]

Dundee manager Paul Hartley was pleased to see Nicky Low return to first-team action despite the 3-1 defeat being a “real bad day” for his side.

The Dark Blues were distinctly second-best in the loss at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium and were 2-0 down after just 17 minutes.

Their performance improved before and after half-time but a 51st-minute goal from Liam Polworth killed any thoughts of a second-half comeback early in the second period.

For Paul, there wasn’t just one aspect of the display that disappointed him — it was an all-round dismal day for Dundee.

Hartley said: “The whole performance was disappointing.

“The team, the defending, attacking-wise, passing the ball.

“Just overall it was a real, real bad day for us.”

One of the few plus points to come out of the game was the return of midfielder Low.

The former-Aberdeen man struggled last season with an ankle problem before having surgery to sort it.

And, after battling back to fitness, Low grabbed his first goal for Dundee, albeit a consolation, with a superbly-taken free-kick late in the game in the Highlands.

Paul said: “It was good for Nicky, he got the goal as well.

“It’s been a long time coming, he’s had a lot of injuries since he came to the club, so that’s one of the plus points on Saturday.

“But in terms of the whole team, no, it was not a good team performance.”

n Dundee’s Development side are in action tonight as they welcome St Johnstone U/20s.

The match kicks-off at 6pm at Links Park, Montrose.

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