After spending the last two games as a frustrated off-field “cheerleader”, Kenny Miller is itching to get back out onto the pitch and hopefully open his goals account for Dundee against Kilmarnock.
The former Scotland striker has now served the ban he received following his sending off against Rangers at Ibrox last month and is available to face Steve Clarke’s side.
However, the 38-year-old knows there is no guarantee he will walk straight back into boss Neil McCann’s starting XI following last weekend’s victory at Hamilton that ended a run of six straight league defeats.
One thing Miller is sure of, though, is that he wants to experience the same winning feeling once more.
He said: “When you can’t contribute on the field of play, you have to contribute in other ways.
“So you are in there trying to just keep the spirits high.
“I was in the dressing-room against Hibs.
“Again it was disappointing but then I went and watched the game at Hamilton and was in the dressing-room at the start, middle and end.
“I was there just soaking it up and supporting the team. You are there as a cheerleader effectively, just trying to support them and give them any help you can.
“But the dressing-room last week . . . that’s the experience we want to be feeling after a game rather than what we have experienced in the first six.
“I have been looking forward to getting into the team as for a striker up front, there are some really good players in that midfield area who can supply you with chances.
“So if selected, hopefully I will manage to get off the mark.”
Like his manager, Miller insisted that Dundee now need to build on that Hamilton victory against Killie.
The striker said: “It has been a long two weeks, to be honest.
“It was obviously frustrating having to sit and watch but thankfully we got the result last week.
“We’re now looking to build on that this week and the chance to get our first home win.
“So we are looking forward to it.
“This is what the good teams do – it is not about one game, it is about building a string of results.
“With a little bit of luck and momentum, we can get some points on board.”
With the right results this weekend, Dundee could go into the international break finally off the bottom of the league and Miller admitted that would be a huge boost to all the players.
He said: “Absolutely right. You never want to be down there so you have to fight away and show you are good enough to get out of it.
“We believe we have more than enough in the dressing-room to get away from it sooner rather than later.
“The morale hasn’t dipped and the boys have been really upbeat.
“The lads are always upbeat and the manager and coaches do a really good job keeping that spirit together.
“So it was huge that we got that win but it is important that we build on that and get another positive result against Killie.”
