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Dundee 3 Morton 1: Craig Beattie savours return to goalscoring form

Craig Beattie is congratulated by his manager.
Craig Beattie is congratulated by his manager.

Long after the final whistle had been blown and the last of the fans had left Dens on Saturday, Craig Beattie was still out on the pitch.

The former Scotland striker had been pressed into action as goalkeeper for his two young sons.

However, even if Jevan and Layton had not wanted a kick-about with their dad, there was a suspicion that Beattie would have lingered on the park for at least a little longer.

The 29-year-old had just produced a first-class performance, helping the Dark Blues come from behind to secure a 3-1 win against Morton.

He had also scored his first goal since netting the penalty for Hearts against Celtic in April last year that sent the Jambos through to the Scottish Cup final.

Beattie famously celebrated at Hampden by embarking on a long run behind the goal with his top off. His reaction to netting against Morton was not quite as memorable but as he sank face down to the turf, there was no doubting just how emotional a moment it was for the player.

The striker has endured a wretched year since leaving Tynecastle, struggling throughout an ill-fated spell at St Johnstone and then being released by Barnet.

More than a few eyebrows were raised when Dundee boss John Brown signed Beattie earlier this month but, on Saturday’s evidence, he could prove to be an inspired capture.

The player said: “It was a brilliant result. I thought we played really well in the first half, continuing on from Tuesday night against Inverness.

“We were a bit slack at a set-piece and we went in at half-time 1-0 down. But we said in the changing-room to keep going as they would be tired.

“If we continued playing the way we had done, then we would dig a result out and we did. I thought the boys were fantastic.

“It has been a tough time for me personally. The kids have not been able to watch me out on the pitch as I haven’t played for a while. So I was just delighted to grab a goal in front of my wife Claire and the kids.

“It has been hard for them. Sometimes people don’t realise when it is not going well, they get the brunt of it. So it was good to get a goal in front of them and then play with the boys on the pitch there.

“I have played pretty much everywhere apart from goalkeeper but the gaffer was watching me so if something is wrong with Kyle (Letheren) and Dan (Twardzik), you never know!

“I think my last goal was the penalty in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic. I’m in better nick than I was then but I wasn’t taking my top off! No seriously, it was a great result and I am pleased for the boys.”

Dundee began brightly but went behind when Morton skipper Dougie Imrie swung in a corner from the right and, with Letheren hesitating, the unmarked Tomas Peciar powered a header home from six yards.

John Brown’s half-time team talk certainly seemed to have the desired effect with the Dark Blues quickly turning the game on its head.

Just 60 seconds after the restart Jim McAlister turned the ball back into the Morton box, it was flicked on by Declan Gallagher and Peter MacDonald gleefully stabbed home from close range.

The same player put Dundee into the lead for the first time in the 49th minute with a sweet finish as he swivelled to volley a Nicky Riley cross into the back of the net.

The Dark Blues went agonisingly close when Beattie hit a ferocious drive off the crossbar, but the striker finally received just reward for all his hard work when a Riley shot was half blocked into his path and he made no mistake, rifling into the far corner of the net.

With Hamilton’s defeat at Alloa, the Dark Blues have narrowed the gap on the Championship pace-setters to just five points.

Beattie, though, is taking nothing for granted and when asked if he now felt that Dundee could build up a head of steam and overtake the rest of the teams in the division, he replied: “I think we have to earn that right first. This is a big club. I think the weekend before last we had the third largest crowd in Scotland.

“We have big players with big personalities and it is up to us to try to get a lead. There is only five points between us and Hamilton. We are now playing well, everything is positive and it is onwards and upwards.”

Boss Brown paid tribute to the overall effort of his players and Beattie in particular.

He said: “I thought some of the football we played was excellent. We knew Morton would be on a high but I am just delighted for the boys and Craig in particular. It was great to see him get a goal.

“His fitness and sharpness are improving all the time. I think we can really kick on from here.”