| And Jocky also shook his head in disbelief at McGhee’s claim Dundee and Dundee United should merge, because one team in the city could attract as many as 17,000 fans each week.
That second claim may be the one more likely to anger Dark Blues and Tangerines punters, but it was the Irish remark that got under the Dens boss’s skin.
In the wake of his dramatic Alba Challenge Cup Final win over Inverness on Sunday, Jocky’s already pointed out there was enough talent in the First Division to expand the SPL.
Today, he added McGhee should know that after the Dons crashed out of the Co-Op Cup at Dens Park earlier this season.
“The remark about bringing in Irish clubs is derogatory to the First Division, particularly right after ourselves and Inverness have just shown how good the standard in our league can be,” said Jocky.
“Mark knows that, because he saw us beating his team!
“Where he is right, is by saying they have to bring in more teams, but there are plenty of Scottish teams who are of the standard they need.”
Turning to the top division as a whole, Jocky believes the SPL have reached the stage where they have to expand to save their league.
“Right now, it’s going nowhere and they have to change things, though I’m told the way they would like to go is to reduce it to 10 teams.
“That would not make things any better and they have to be looking to expand and get more teams into their league.”
As for McGhee’s view there could be one Dundee club challenging the Old Firm, Jocky feels he might have been right 20 years ago, but not now.
“If there was ever a time to do it, then it was in the 80s when Jim (McLean) was still at United and Archie (Knox) was in charge here.
“Both teams were in the top division, doing well and had good squads, and a coming together then might have produced a team capable of challenging for the league on a regular basis.
“A few chairmen looked at it, but the fans did not want it then and they definitely don’t want it now — I certainly don’t see it ever happening.”
Dundee were hoping for good news today after Eric Paton and Sean Higgins had knee injuries scanned. Jocky still hopes to have both in his squad for Ross County on Tuesday.
And there is even a chance Paul McHale may recover from a groin problem and make the Highland trip. |
