New Dundee interim boss Neil McCann admits his first sessions with the players at the club confirmed what he always thought – that there was a quality squad at Dens.
The 42-year-old was announced as the surprise successor to Paul Hartley a week ago following a run of seven defeats in a row in the Premiership that had left the Dark Blues sitting in the relegation play-off spot.
McCann set to work immediately and quickly made sure his new charges were fully aware of the high standards he would be demanding of them.
He was also keen to rebuild their shattered confidence and having seen smiles slowly returning to faces at the club he believes that is now happening.
He cannot wait for his first game in charge at Motherwell this Saturday but before that, he was due to meet American club owner Tim Keyes who flew into Scotland at the weekend to meet McCann for the first time since he took over as boss.
The former Scotland winger remarked: “I said at my first press conference last week that I was absolutely convinced by the quality in the squad but in any walk of life, particularly sport, confidence is huge.
“When results are not falling, then confidence dips and you maybe play with a little bit of fear.
“I spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday calling them all, speaking to them and letting them know that I was looking forward to working with them, first and foremost on Thursday.
“So when they came in, I just wanted to erase all the fears they had and what had gone before had gone – it was in the past.
“Maybe that sounds a bit clichéd but it really is as this is a new start for them.
“We are in a position where pressure comes into it but I don’t want the boys to have any fear about what lies ahead.
“I said to them it is just all about what you do from now on in.
“I told them about the demands I would be placing on them and what I expect of them.
“Nothing less will be tolerated and to be honest, the reaction I got on Thursday and Friday was exactly what I thought I would get.”
He added: “The quality of what I saw was better than what I thought I would see.
“So I went away home over the weekend absolutely delighted at what I’ve got to work with and now it is up to me to extract that confidence from the depths where it is maybe hiding just now.
“If the last three sessions I have given them are anything to go by, I think they are finding it.
“They have a smile on their faces and enjoyed the last few days.
“The hard work started last week and it will be continuing this week.”
