| And, while a lot of attention was paid to the flaws that led to last weekend’s Scottish Cup exit, the full-back prefers to focus on what, he feels, was a show of character at Ayr on Wednesday night.
So long as it is maintained, he is convinced that, starting with tomorrow’s trip to Airdrie United, the wins needed to get to the SPL can be secured.
“As professionals, we were hurting last Saturday and the feeling was we were not going to let that happen again,” he said.
“That’s the way everyone has been thinking, not just the boys who were on the park, because there is a sense of togetherness at this club and that is going to see us through.
“And the manager said we needed a reaction to Saturday and he’s got that. We knew the Raith game wasn’t good enough and, although we did not win at Ayr, we were a lot better.
“If we keep producing performances like that one, we will be OK come the end of the season.”
So far this term, it has been flair players like Gary Harkins and Leigh Griffiths who have grabbed the limelight in Dundee games. Malone, though, insists this is a team that can also win ugly.
“We are known as a passing team, but, on Wednesday, we have shown we can match teams’ workrate and commitment. If we do that, our quality can shine through.
“We will pass the ball when we can, but, at places like Airdrie, if we have to roll up the sleeves and dig in, we will. This will be a similar game to Ayr, because they are battling for their lives as well.
“We are still looking forward to it and we’ll be trying to get all three points this time.”
A win is top of boss Jocky Scott’s agenda and, he feels, one success will trigger more in the vital promotion run-in.
“I’ve a few fitness checks to make, but my big concern is that we take all the points this time, because this is a must-win game,” he said.
“The attitude and commitment were spot-on at Ayr on Wednesday and, if we add a win to that tomorrow, I am sure it will give us the belief we need.”
Jocky was not revealing who took knocks in midweek, though he will definitely have to find a replacement for suspended skipper Eric Paton.
The manager missed training today to head for Ayrshire for the funeral of former team-mate and member of Dundee’s championship-winning side Hugh Robertson, who died last week aged 71. |
