Dundee’s talented teenager Craig Wighton has been backed by manager Paul Hartley to handle the tension of a title run-in.
The Dark Blues put themselves in a commanding position in the Championship promotion battle with a 4-0 home win over Cowdenbeath on Saturday.
They now sit two points ahead of rivals Hamilton Accies with only three games to play. One of their star men against the Blue Brazil was 16-year-old Wighton, who grabbed the opening goal.
He showed composure beyond his tender years as he stroked the ball home and Hartley, who is on a spying mission in England with a view to next season, insists the Scotland under-17 international has the perfect temperament to deal with the climax to the campaign.
Hartley said: “There is always a bit of pressure, but Craig proved he can handle that. Looking back, he played like an experienced striker would.
“He was so calm in front of goal just passing the ball into the net and that’s what you need at this stage of the season. We have told the players they need to keep cool in these kind of games and he is a great example of that.
“For someone so young, he’s got great composure and just took Saturday’s game in his stride. There is still a lot of hard work in front of him, but he can go as far as he wants provided he keeps his feet on the ground.
“I first saw him in a reserve game against Alloa and thought even then: ‘Who is that kid?’ He can be a big player for us over the next three games.”
Hartley hopes to have a full squad to chose from for Saturday’s trip to relegated Morton.
Defender Iain Davidson, striker Peter MacDonald and winger Nicky Riley all took knocks, but the manager said: “There were a few bumps and bruises, which you expect, but the lads should be fine.
“Nobody wants to miss out when it gets to this stage of the season as there is so much to play for.”
Meanwhile, Dundee have been linked with another pre-contract swoop for a Cowdenbeath player.
Having tied up the Blue Brazil’s Greg Stewart for next season, the Dens men are reportedly keen on his Central Park team-mate Kane Hemmings, formerly of Rangers.