And if they continue to do the simple things well, the former Clyde stopper sees no reason why they can’t be picking up a second win bonus in a row.

“When a new manager comes in everyone gets a lift and it has been like that with Jocky,” he said. “It has been a fresh start for everyone and Jocky has got us back to basics. It’s been working, so long may it continue.”

A morale-boosting win at Dunfermline last week saw McKeown and central defensive partner Kyle Benedictus singled out for praise and the 16-year-old’s form came as no surprise to Craig.

“Kyle did very well — he is still young, but he is a fantastic prospect. I’ve played a couple of games with him in the reserves, so I already knew he was good.

“He was excellent at Dunfermline and he is now in the team on merit, but we know we have to keep playing well because there are now basically five players available for two places in the centre of the defence.

“That’s good for the team and, with people coming back from injuries, it is the same in other areas as well and you just have to make sure it is your name on the team sheet.”

Since hitting the top of the First Division table a few weeks ago, Queen of the South’s form has dipped, with last Saturday seeing them losing heavily at home to Morton in a shock result.

Gordon Chisholm’s team, however, remain a side McKeown rates highly.

“Queen of the South never give you an easy game and, after that result, they will be looking to bounce right back. We are now on a good run, though, and we want it continuing.”

Abandoning the usual one-game-at-a-time philosophy, the manager believes tomorrow and the clash with St Johnstone in a fortnight will give an indication of where Dundee can be come the end of the season.

“Our next two games are at home against teams above us and if we want to be there or thereabouts come May, we have to be looking to win them,” said Jocky.

“They are at home and although we had almost 1000 fans at Dunfermline last week and the result was excellent, getting wins in front of your home support is what really gets the fans going.

“These will be hard games, but if the players show the attitude and application of my first two games, I believe they have a very good chance.”

Few would be happier than Conway if the Tangerines put the record straight on this visit to his hometown.

“Being a Kilmarnock boy and having played for their big rivals Ayr, games down there are always special for me, so I am definitely looking forward to this one,” he said.

“They did well when they came to Tannadice and beat us, but we were very disappointed that day because we felt we should have won. It would be nice to put that right.”

And, having made it 10 games unbeaten with victory over Hibs, Conway admits the team want their run to be extended for a while yet.

“We are going well and confidence is high. It won’t be easy at Rugby Park, but, if we keep playing the way we have, we have a good chance.”

A feature of the sequence of eight wins and two draws has been the way Conway and new left-back Paul Dixon have performed out wide and even he is surprised how quickly the partnership has gelled.

“I don’t really know why it’s worked straight away, but Paul has been playing very well and I thought against Hibs he was different class.

“He makes my job easier because I have the option of just moving the ball to him and he can put the cross in. That’s causing problems for defences.”

More modestly, Conway concedes, after a lengthy period of foot problems, the fact he is now match fit for the first time in months, has also helped.

“I’ve had a run of games and I am feeling good. I’m pleased with how I’ve been playing and the fact the whole team is doing well is a help.”

Who Conway will be supplying crosses for tomorrow could be a selection issue for boss Craig Levein, who expects to have Warren Feeney and Jon Daly fully fit.

Craig, though, admitted his liking for continuity means the midweek pairing of Francisco Sandaza and Roy O’Donovan are likely to start.

“Daly is OK and we’ll see if Feeney suffers any reaction to training, but I expect him to be fine. If there was a situation where I felt we needed a specific type of striker, I might make a change, but, my feeling is to go with the ones who are in the team and doing well,” he said.

At a scheduled board meeting today, Stephen Thompson was confirmed as new chairman and successor to his late father Eddie, and his mother Cath Thompson was installed as vice-chair.

While it is a change of title for the former chief executive, it does not represent any change in the duties he has been carrying out for some months now.

Half-season tickets for Tannadice went on sale from the club shop today.