Dundee striker Colin Nish hopes he will get the chance to prove his worth to interim manager John Brown between now and the end of the season.
Since Brown’s arrival as boss at Dens Park, the 32-year-old forward has only made two brief appearances from the substitutes bench the 2-2 draw with St Johnstone and the 2-1 Scottish Cup loss to Dundee United and has found first team opportunities limited.
But with five hugely important games now lying ahead for the Dark Blues, the former Kilmarnock and Hibs hitman is determined to play a part in Dundee’s survival bid.
“It’s disappointing because I came here to play and that’s been the case,” he said.
“Obviously the change of manager’s come about and I think I’ve only played for two 10 minutes since the new manager came in, but he says he going to give everybody a chance so we’ll see what happens.
“I’ve been working hard in training and you can only take it from there really. There’s a few years left in me yet.
“I’m only 32 and I feel as fit now as what I did when I was 28. I probably didn’t last year, but I do now because I feel like I’ve got a lot fitter maybe by getting a season under my belt.
“I was out injured for the whole season last year, but I’m feeling good now.”
Nish is on loan at Dundee from Hartlepool, a deal which was extended in January to the end of this season, but the striker admits he does not yet know where his future lies.
He is just one of a whole host of players out of contract in the summer and looks set to weigh up his options.
“I don’t want to go back to Hartlepool so hopefully that will be dealt with in the summer and then I’ll move on I’ll see what happens,” he said.
“I think everyone here is in the same boat. Obviously with the manager’s situation the way it is, I don’t think it helps a lot of people so the biggest decision is probably making that decision first, so that the rest of the boys know what they are doing.”
Nish returned to Rugby Park on Saturday and was delighted to see Dundee take all three points, prolonging their stay in the SPL for another week at least thanks to a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock.
“It was a good result for us at the weekend,” he said.
“I’m obviously gutted for Killie because they are one of my old clubs and I would have liked to have seen them in the top six ahead of Dundee United obviously. It was unfortunate for them but it was great to see us get a win.
“I think before we didn’t seem to carry much luck at all. We have improved and it seems like the work rate has improved on the park, I have to say.
“That seems to have made a difference but everything seems to have improved, so I can’t complain really.”
Next up for Dundee post-split is a crucial away game at St Mirren, and Nish would love to be involved in that encounter.
He said: “It should be a good game and obviously if we can win that it gives us a chance. If we can beat St Mirren the gap goes down to 10 points and I suppose it makes them think about things a wee bit.”