Steven Caulker’s commitment to the Dundee cause has been a “big boost” for his Dens Park team-mates, Glen Kamara admitted.
Rosenborg’s near £2 million bid for the former Liverpool and Spurs man on the eve of the closure of the Scandinavian transfer window had the potential to derail the Dark Blues’ bid to avoid relegation from the Premiership.
But the club’s rejection of the offer – and, perhaps more importantly, the player’s refusal to entertain it – has ended up having a galvanising effect on the dressing room.
Caulker produced arguably the best performance of his short Dundee career in the 0-0 draw at Celtic Park and is set to be a key man again as Neil McCann’s side look to complete a Glasgow double against Rangers tomorrow.
“I guess it’s a big boost for us as a squad,” said Kamara.
“All the players were really pleased to hear that he wasn’t going to go.
“We knew he was focused on the game and that (the bid) wasn’t on his mind.
“He’s a big leader for us on the pitch. You could tell from his first day at training that he’s an organiser and that he would command a lot and be helpful for the younger boys.
“He’s got that aura about him.”
Caulker wasn’t alone in impressing at Parkhead.
It was a fine team performance – as was the case with the draw against Hearts a few days earlier.
Kamara said: “We’ll take a lot of confidence from this.
“As you can see, the team worked hard and we deserved our point.
“That’s us drawn with the top team in the league and another strong side in Hearts. You’ve got to take belief from that.
“People wouldn’t have expected us to get anything from those two games so we’re happy.
“I think we’ve cut out the silly mistakes which have been costing us goals.
“We’re doing well as a team now and we probably shouldn’t be in the position that we are.
“But we know we need to keep this going.
“If we keep playing like that we won’t be in trouble.”
The back-to-back draws have made a statement but winning against Rangers would make an even stronger one – and possibly even end talk of the Dark Blues being potential relegation candidates going into the Premiership split.
“We feel confident that we can get a win at Ibrox,” said Kamara. “Definitely. It’s 90 minutes and we’re going into it with belief.
“If we can repeat the standard of the performance at Celtic then we can definitely get some points against Rangers. Celtic are the best team in the league.”
The three-at-the-back formation has served Dundee well since being thrashed by St Johnstone and Kamara doesn’t expect any tinkering with it in the near future.
“It’s certainly been working well so I guess we’ll keep going with it,” he said.
