| A meeting with the former Republic of Ireland star, who cut his managerial teeth in impressive fashion at Clyde a couple of years ago, has been arranged, though the Dark Blues are keen for the exact time and location to remain secret.
They want the focus to be on tonight’s Bell’s Cup clash with Airdrie United and, while they are unlikely to get their way, are determined to do nothing to fuel the speculation.
The next day or so, though, will see developments and Kernaghan, currently working with the reserves at Falkirk, could even be in place by tomorrow.
It has to be stressed he still has to clinch the job and much will depend on the face-to-face with owner Peter Marr and other directors. If he does impress, they are likely to move swiftly to secure his services.
And Kernaghan’s arrival could be followed quickly by that of Allan Preston. Team-mates together at St Johnstone, Kernaghan was his assistant at Livingston for a few fateful months last season and the roles could be reversed at Dens.
Meanwhile, Dundee have fixed up Celtic goalkeeper Michael McGovern to stand in for Caribbean-bound Trinidad No. 1 Kelvin Jack in tonight’s Bell’s Cup clash with Airdrie United.
Attempts to persuade Trinidad to allow Jack to fly out tomorrow for the World Cup qualifier against Guatemala failed and that left teenager Scott Murray as the only fit and available goalkeeper on the books at Dens.
That changed this afternoon with McGovern set to sign on a loan deal and he is expected to be between the sticks tonight.
Tam McManus returned to training yesterday after missing out at the weekend because of a thigh strain and could be included in the starting line-up this evening.
Meanwhile, promising kid Scott Robertson is delighted games are coming think and fast right now — because it keeps his mind off the managerial uncertainty at Dens Park.
Having started full-time at Dundee under Jim Duffy, and been handed a first-team chance by him, Robertson admits the team boss’s departure last week hit him hard.
What it hasn’t done, though, is stop him concentrating on business and tonight’s Bell’s Challenge Cup tie against Airdrie United at Dens Park.
“My first season at Dundee was Jim Duffy’s first season back and, in three years working with him, I learned a lot and have a lot to thank him for,” said Robertson.
“I appreciate what he’s done for me and it was not nice seeing him go, so the games on Saturday and tonight have helped take my mind off what’s happened. I am paid to play football and that’s what I like doing, so it has been good to be able to concentrate on games and not think about anything else.”
Injury and illness meant Robertson missed what turned out to be the last game of the Duffy era, the 3-1 CIS Cup defeat at Stranraer a week ago. He still felt sluggish during Saturday’s draw at Hamilton, but feels he is now 100% fit again and ready for tonight’s tie. |
