| Jocky Scott remains favourite to be handed a third spell in charge of team matters, but today it was being stressed the race to succeed Alan Kernaghan was wide open. And that means if ex-Celtic skipper Lambert and former Motherwell, Hearts and Dundee United boss McLean do throw their hats into the ring by submitting applications, they will be seriously considered.
Lambert had an unhappy first taste of management with Livingston this season and quit Almondvale in February after a disastrous run of results left them doomed to relegation from the SPL.
He has recharged his batteries after a break, however, and would at least be interested in speaking to the Dundee board about the vacant position at Dens.
While his achievements as a player, he won the European Cup with Borussia Dortmund, means he would have to be interviewed, his poor performance as a manager this season has to count as a big minus.
And after opting for Kernaghan largely on his reputation, there is a determination that this time more emphasis will be put on how applicants perform during their interviews. The board will want to see detailed plans for the way ahead next season, when a promotion challenge will be a must. That is likely to strengthen the chances of the likes of Scott or, should he apply, McLean, both of whom are known for meticulous planning and preparation.
After a couple of years out of the game, McLean is ready to return to front line management, but only at the right club. Although Dundee’s financial problems are well documented, he still views the Dark Blues as an outfit with genuine SPL potential and believes the mix of young talent and the experience of the like of Bobby Mann and Barry Smith means there is the nucleus of a successful side there.
Before the board get round to sorting out who the new boss should be, a budget has still to be agreed with bankers HBOS for next season. For that to happen, there will have to be more cuts, including to players’ wages, and meetings with several members of the first- team squad and their agents have been arranged for this week. With the bank still to approve plans for the next 12 months, it could be that those meetings are delayed by a week or so.
Largely forgotten in the search for a manager and cash for next term is the fact that there remains one more league fixture to be fulfilled, the season ends at Queen of the South on Saturday.
There is still a chance goalkeeper Derek Soutar will make his first appearance since November in that one, though a decision on him will not be taken until the end of the week. “It’s still early so Soapy will continue to train for a few days and if he feels fine he could be considered,” said co-caretaker boss Bobby Mann. “It would be good if he could play, but with one game to go, it might not be a risk worth taking. If he is not quite ready, pushes himself and then suffers a setback, it could be a long hard summer for him.”
Skipper and co-boss for the rest of this week Barry Smith came through Saturday’s defeat against Clyde without suffering a reaction to his back problem and will be fit for the weekend. |
