Neil McCann to be named as new Dens Park boss

[ian1964 10,720]

Sky Sports pundit and former Dundee, Rangers and Hearts star Neil McCann to be named as new Dens Park boss

 

It's anticipated the former Rangers and Hearts winger will be formally introduced at a press conference at Dens this evening

 

NEIL McCANN is the shock appointment as new Dundee manager.

 

Sky pundit McCann has been handed the Dens reins until the end of the season.

 

It’s anticipated he will be formally introduced as Paul Hartley’s successor at a press conference at Dens this evening.

 

McCann, 42, started and finished his playing career at Dens.

 

Between times he played for Hearts (twice), Rangers, Southampton and Falkirk as well as 26 times for Scotland.

 

He has completed all his coaching badges and was working as a coach at Dunfermline before landing the Sky pundit’s role full-time.

 

At East End Park he struck up a coaching partnership with Gerry McCabe, who will remain as his No.2 at Dundee.

 

McCann faces a firefight at Dundee who’ve plummeted into the relegation play-off place after a run of seven consecutive defeats.

 

But the Dens board have decided he’s the choice to turn their season around

 

Hartley was axed yesterday lunchtime with Dundee chief John Nelms insisting they had to gamble with a new boss.

 

Nelms, who claimed Hartley’s position had been under review for some time, said: “There is a huge element of risk sacking a manager with five matches to play,

absolutely.“That’s something we had to take into account because it can go both ways. It could be a catalyst for us to go on a run or it could be a catalyst for us to fall apart.

 

“That is something which weighed heavily on my mind when you make a decision like this.“But we’ve been looking at this for a while. It’s not a knee-jerk reaction, it’s a decision taken over a length of time.“We have looked at it cautiously and conservatively — we don’t do things knee-jerk.“Football is a results-based business and it was felt that we need a change.

 

“It just wasn’t clicking for Paul and it wasn’t just the weekend. It has been a difficult season because we have been so inconsistent.“Some games we have been really good, other matches we have been really poor. We have goals and they are not going to be met.“They were not met last year either, so we’re looking to make sure we continue to meet them and go forward.“I have a lot of respect for Paul. He’s a very good manager and a hard worker, so it was a hard thing to do.

 

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/884537/sky-sports-pundit-and-former-dundee-star-neil-mccann-to-be-named-as-new-dens-park-boss/?CMP=Spklr-_-Editorial-_-scotsunsport-_-News-_-TwImageandlink-_-Statement-_-TWITTER

[Gribz 841]

Good luck to him, one of footballs clever good guys. 26 Scotland caps wasn't enough.