Dundee’s elder statesmen will be just as important as the club’s young guns this season insists boss Gary Bowyer

By George Cran

July 12 2022, 11:30am

Dundee attackers Niall McGinn and Paul McGowan.

While he’s been full of praise for Dundee’s young guns, manager Gary Bowyer insists the squad’s elder statesmen will be just as vital for their promotion push this term.

The Dark Blues boss got his tenure at Dens Park off to the perfect start at the weekend, easing past Hamilton Accies with a 3-0 victory.

Impressing once more were midfield pair Max Anderson and Josh Mulligan with both involved in the build-up to the opening goal.

Nineteen-year-old Lyall Cameron would also appear off the bench in the second half and fired in his first-ever Dundee goal in the closing stages.

Elder statesmen

But as well as the youngsters who showed up, the veterans with over 1,000 senior appearances between them showed their worth.

It was McGinn who opened the scoring, finishing off after good work by Mulligan.

Niall McGinn makes it 1-0 against Hamilton.

Then McGowan won the penalty kick for 2-0 early in the second half and later found Cameron in the area for No 3.

And Bowyer says that connection between the men who have ‘been there and done it’ and those making early strides in the senior game will be absolutely key for Dundee this season.

“McGinn’s was a wonderful finish but I think Zak Rudden might’ve killed him if he hadn’t scored,” Bowyer said of the opening goal against Hamilton.

“That’s the rule – if you shoot when you’re two-v-one, it’s got to go in the goal. It was a wonderful finish from him.

“Niall’s experience and Gowser as well, who came on in the second half on Saturday and won us the penalty brilliantly, those two will play a vital role this season.