Instant hero Andrew Nelson is determined he and his Dee team-mates won’t be one-hit wonders.
And for the young striker that means repeating Wednesday night’s excellent win over Hearts on a regular basis, starting with tomorrow’s clash with Motherwell.
The 21-year-old signing from Sunderland was one of 14 stars and scored a fine winner in the Tynecastle victory that moved Dundee off the bottom of the Premiership for only the second time since August.
He knows that gave the entire squad a massive lift and he wants them to make the most of it by putting together an unbeaten run in the top flight.
“The lads thoroughly deserved the win at Hearts and they’ve shown they’ve got that grit, even nastiness, to see out a game and, especially at Tynecastle, that’s big,” he said.
“Before I came up I heard how hard it was to go to Hearts. To do it, everyone is absolutely buzzing.
“The hardest thing now is to maintain that but there’s an opportunity for us to do it. Everyone has had a massive lift. We can do it, so why can’t we keep doing it? It’ll be hard but we can and must take it into the next game against Motherwell and ones after.”
When Nelson was interviewed before the capital trip he described himself as the type of player who would always give everything.
He proved that with a robust display that saw him get stuck into the Hearts defence but also show his ability with an assist for the opener, then finished expertly for the second.
“That’s what I said and I wasn’t kidding. You want to play well but you must always give everything you’ve got,” he added.
“That’s the base effort from any kind of footballer, because the harder you work the more rewards you get really.
“It makes a statement and it’s what all the lads did against Hearts. You’re saying we’re not here to be turned over or lie on our backs, if you want three points you are going to have to fight for it. I think that took them by surprise and it also makes a statement for other teams because we’re not going to roll over.
“We will put in 100% in every game and try to get a victory.”
Nelson’s 62nd-minute strike in the capital was his last kick before being substituted. Just like his booking, being taken off wasn’t something he was going to moan about.
“I didn’t know I was coming off so I was thrilled to score with my last touch. I was on a booking and knowing me I’d probably have done something stupid and got sent off, so it was the right decision by the gaffer.
“I must admit I was actually a bit surprised that I started. I felt made an impression in the cup when I came on against Queen of the South last Saturday, which is something you should always look to do.
“But if I’m honest I thought I’d be on the bench again. The manager, though, told me on Tuesday I was playing and that gave me time to think about it and be prepared.”
If he credited boss Jim McIntyre for giving him plenty warning of his first start, Nelson also praised the coaches he had at Sunderland for being able to score the winner.
“It’s something I struggled with growing up. Everything was always 100 miles an hour and I cannot count the times my coaches were telling me to calm down and take a touch.
“When the ball came to me I didn’t know if I wanted to take one but I did and that’s those small things you’ve been told coming together.
“I’m trying not to sound big-headed but I didn’t have to look at the goal. I was central, I knew the keeper wouldn’t have the chance to get set, so I could just hit it. That’s from listening to people who want you to improve your game.”
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