And, after an injury hit first season with the Dark Blues, MacKenzie’s form this term has left his manager convinced getting him on a new deal is a great piece of business.

“Gary has been a big player for us this season and I’m very pleased he’s committed his future to us,” said Alex.

“In the 18 months or so he’s been here, I feel he’s really developed as a player and, although he is not the finished article yet, with the attributes he has, he can go on and become a very good defender.”

Those qualities Alex referred to include leadership and, while the manager admits making him captain of the side for the second half of last season was premature, MacKenzie remains very much a skipper in waiting.

“I handed him the armband because of the type of character he is. With hindsight it was probably too early, but he is a leader on the park and, even more importantly, he is a winner.

“When we lose he’s almost hurting physically and you can see how much results mean to him. As well as his ability, it is that kind of attitude that makes me want him here.”

News of the new deal comes just as the players at the other end of the pitch grabbed the headlines by blasting six goals at Stirling Albion on Saturday.

Mickael Antoine-Curier struck a hat-trick to take his tally since signing up last month to five goals, while fellow January arrival Colin McMenamin got his third Dundee goal.

To round off a good day for the strikers, subs Bob Davidson and Derek Lyle completed the scoring in a performance that impressed their boss.

“The wind made conditions very hard, but particularly when they were against it in the second half, the boys adapted and played well.

“It’s great to see the strikers getting among goals and now the aim has to be to keep scoring.”

Dundee, meanwhile, have dismissed a report that vice-captain Scott Robertson has been offered a three-year deal by neighbours Dundee United.

Robertson’s contract is up in the summer and along with his present employers, who hope to be able to offer him SPL football, United, Hibs and several others are likely to want to speak to him.

The midfielder, though, has assured his manager his focus is on trying to win promotion and nothing else.

“Saturday was one of those days where their keeper had a birthday and we missed a lot of chances,” said Craig.

“In terms of how we actually played, though, that was as good as we’ve been for a while and the only complaint I could have was that we didn’t score.

“I am a believer that if your performances are good, over time you will win games, and I’m sure that’ll be the case if we keep playing like we did on Saturday.”

As a rule, Craig is also one who believes it is wrong to look further than the next game, but he did make a brief exception today to eye a top-half-of-the-table finish.

“I’d say six more points would guarantee us a place in the top six.

“If we get them, what happens after that I’m not going to talk about,” he added, quickly dismissing talk of a European slot.

Focusing on the next game, Wednesday’s visit of St Mirren, he revealed Prince Buaben as the only fresh injury doubt after feeling a tight hamstring at the weekend.

And while he was happy with Danny Swanson’s showing on his first start for the club, he repeated his belief that until the young midfielder bulks up, he is more likely to be used from the bench.

“He did well and made a contribution and if I feel it is right to start him in a game I will. While we work on his physique, though, I think he will have a bigger impact coming on in games.”