Dundee boss Paul Hartley has revealed he is determined to extend David Clarkson’s contract at the club.
The striker has made a record-breaking start to his career at Dens, scoring in each of his first seven games, with the latest coming at Celtic Park at the weekend.
Clarkson, who had struggled to find a club after being released by Bristol Rovers at the end of last season, signed a deal with the Dark Blues at the start of September that will keep him at the club until the end of the present campaign.
However, not surprisingly considering the goalscoring impact the 29-year-old former Scotland forward has made, his manager is keen to tie him up on a longer contract.
Hartley, who played with Clarkson at Bristol City, said: “We’re talking to the owners just now.
“It’s something we want to try to do (extend contract), that’s for sure.
“We’ve got David until the end of the season but I want to try to keep him longer because he’s been absolutely terrific so far.
“We were fortunate enough that we were able to get him. We might not have got him.
“I still think there’s much more to come from him.
“His work-rate, experience and overall play has been first-class.
“I always knew how good a player he was and he just needed to top up his fitness.
“He’s been terrific for the team and is at the top of his game.
“He hasn’t looked back since getting that first goal early in his career here.”
Clarkson’s fellow front man Greg Stewart has also been an impressive addition so far this season and Hartley is hoping the former Cowdenbeath man can shake off an injury he picked up against Celtic in time for Saturday’s lunchtime William Hill Scottish Cup tie against Aberdeen.
He said: “Greg has taken a knock on his calf.
“Hopefully he will be OK to join in training on Thursday or Friday.
“Greg has been excellent since coming here. I thought he was outstanding at Parkhead on Saturday.
“He seems to just get better and better.
“Paul McGinn has still got a bit of an issue with his back but he should be OK.
“Luka Tankulic played for the under-20s on Monday, along with Phil Roberts, and Simon Ferry is OK.
“So we’re getting players back.
“Iain Davidson had a little problem with his groin but he’s back in training.
“However, Craig Wighton is still struggling with the knock he picked up with Scotland.”
Reflecting on the narrow weekend defeat at Celtic Park, Hartley insisted he still felt his players did not receive the reward their overall play deserved.
He said: “I thought we should have taken something from the game with the way we played and the chances we created.
“Overall I was pleased with the performance of the team and how we want to play.
“There won’t be many teams who go there and have a go against Celtic.
“I think we’ve just got to keep playing well.
“That was our first defeat in five but we’re playing well.
“We’ve got to keep it going.
“We want to play like that every week but obviously it’s not a given.”