Dundee boss Paul Hartley derives no pleasure from relegating rivals

Dundee boss Paul Hartley took no pleasure in putting city rivals Dundee United down tio the Championship.

Instead, he quite rightly praised his players for battling back from a goal down to clinch a dramatic 2-1 win at Dens Park.

Hartley said: “I am not here to celebrate Dundee United going down.

“It was an emotional game and I am really pleased with my players.

“I am proud of them, coming back from a goal down like that.

“It was a big occasion for them tonight but I am not here to celebrate Dundee United going down.

“It is ‘well done’ from me to my players for coming back from a goal down.

“It is never easy to win a derby but they never gave in.

“I thought we deserved it, to be quite honest with you.

“In the first half we were the better team, we looked to pass the ball.

“They (United) had a direct style of play but we coped with it.”

Hartley also had a word for matchwinner Craig Wighton.

The Dens boss added: “At the second goal we could have just thrown the ball into the box but we didn’t.

“Set-plays are something we are really proud of and for young Craig to score the winner it was a fantastic feeling for him.”