By Ian Roache

MILLIONAIRE BUSINESSMAN John Bennett has dramatically declared he will not be buying Dundee Football Club.

After four months of speculation linking the former Dundee United director with a controlling interest in the Dark Blues, the man at the centre of it all insisted there is no chance of that happening.

Bennett, who made his fortune with local chartered surveyors firm J & E Shepherd, left the Tannadice board last month and immediately re-ignited rumours of a switch across the great divide.

He sought out the advice of people he respected within football and held detailed discussions with Dundee chairman Bob Brannan.

There was even talk, in the event of a successful takeover, of manager Alex Rae being sacked and replaced by, among others, ex-Tangerines boss Gordon Chisholm, who is currently in charge of division one leaders Queen of the South, or former fans’ favourite Billy Dodds.

Speaking outside his house last night, Bennett dismissed any notion of his becoming the top man at Dens Park while sustaining the possibility of filling a lesser role at the club.

Bennett recently retired from his day job and, as a fan of football, is keen to retain his interest in the game by using his business expertise to help behind the scenes.

That, he revealed, would not involve making a serious financial commitment.

“I have had some very amicable discussions with Bob Brannan,” said Bennett.

“I have no intention of buying the club.

“I am not taking the club over.

“I am taking no shares in Dundee. That’s it—end of story.

“I am looking for something to do with my time and that’s 100% what it is.

“I have retired (from work) and have a lot to give to football, which is my passion.

“My expertise is in a running a business with a lot bigger turnover than Dundee, with 250 employees in Scotland and another 100 odd in England.

“So I have had some discussions with Bob Brannan and that’s where we are at the moment.”

Meanwhile, team boss Rae believes the international break has come at the perfect time for his injury-hit squad.

Rae took his players for training yesterday but only had eight fit players available after a series of setbacks left him with a skeleton staff.

However, the two-week spell while Scotland play Norway will allow them time to get players back on the road to fitness as they plot a return to form.

“We had 13 players on the treatment table this morning so the international break has come at the perfect time,” he said.

“It will allow us time to get those guys patched up and bit and the remainder will be able to get a rest.

“We are going to work hard this week and then have a wee break at the weekend. I think it’s important to let the players get away from here for a day or two, clear their heads and come back refreshed.

“We have a run of very important games coming up and we want to be in the best condition for that.”

Striker Mickael Antoine-Curier has been called up for the Guadeloupe squad to face the Cayman Islands, Grenada and Martinique.

The 25-year-old has been called up because the island is a French colony and he has pledged his future to them.

“Mickael has been called up for Guadeloupe so he is away with them this week,” added Rae.

“That will give him a bit of a confidence boost.”