Peter MacDonald climbed off the bench to secure Dundee’s first win back in the top flight.
But the experienced Dark Blues striker has no complaints over manager Paul Hartley’s decision to drop him to a sub’s role.
The frontman’s 80th-minute strike helped secure a win over St Mirren as last season’s First Division champions remain unbeaten in the Premiership.
MacDonald said: “It was nice to come on and score what proved to be the winning goal and give us our first league win in the process. I just remember a long ball coming over the top of the defence and I knew if my first touch was good I’d have a chance of getting a shot away.”
The former Morton ace added: “It’s going to be a team game for us this season. The manager changed things and I dropped out of the starting line-up to
the bench.
“But I’ve got no complaints whatsoever that’s the way it goes. We’ll change our formation and system at times this season and everyone will play their part throughout the campaign.”
What was interesting about Dundee’s victory was the way it was crafted. Hartley has treated the Dens Park supporters to some eye-catching performances since guiding them to the First Division championship.
He has adopted a footballing philosophy which is based on quick, sharp passing moves in the final third of the field and that was evident at New St Mirren Park yesterday.
But what was also clear to see was the desire of his players to simply do what was needed to come out on top.
“What I enjoyed about the victory was my players showed another side to them to get the three points,” said Hartley.
“We are a good footballing side but we had to work really hard and dig in to get these three points. We are going to have to do that at times this season and I was pleased with the desire and commitment my players showed to get the win.
“That’s now one win and three draws for us in the league this season and you’ve got to be pleased with that sort of start.”
Having spent the entire afternoon trying to score the perfect goal with some eye-catching passing moves, it was ironic that a rare attempt at route one football provided the visitors with the opening goal.
Defender Thomas Konrad hoofed the ball forward as the St Mirren defence came rushing out and that allowed substitute MacDonald to beat the off-side trap and slot the ball low past keeper Marian Kello.
In truth, there should have been goals galore before the winner arrived 10 minutes from time.
St Mirren’s summer signings Adam Drury and Callum Ball both left their shooting boots at home and have surely secured a week of shooting practice after failing to hit the target from countless chances.
And Dundee’s Gary Harkins was guilty of blowing the best chance of the match as he took an eternity to get his shot away after finding himself with acres of space inside the Paisley side’s penalty area.
As for Tommy Craig, well, this latest defeat now means he has lost his opening three games since replacing Danny Lennon in the summer.
The Saints left the pitch to a chorus of boos from the home crowd. But experienced Premiership campaigner Craig explained: “Everybody at the game can see why we lost it. We can’t put the ball in the back of the net.
“But there is no panic. The points will come and the goals will come too.”
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