Shaun Byrne has one target this season at Dundee – to prove manager Gary Bowyer has been wrong to leave him out of the team.
The 29-year-old opened up on a season to forget so far after making his first appearance in over three months last weekend in a 2-0 victory over Raith Rovers.
Injury first kept him out of the side before a bombshell meeting with Bowyer in August where Byrne was told he was free to find a new club.
Offers came in but none were suitable and instead Byrne decided to roll his sleeves up and put the hard yards in.
Off the field, though, things have not been easy. Gran Patsy, who brought Byrne and his two younger brothers up, is severely ill with cancer.
So, to hear a big cheer go up from Dundee fans at Dens Park crowd when he emerged from the dugout to replace the injured Joe Grayson meant the world.
“It was quite special,” Byrne said.
“Joe got injured quite early on and the gaffer just shouted at me to get ready.
“I was trying to get ready rapid and the fans had seen me.
“Then when I walked out it was an unreal reception.
“It gave me a big boost before I went on.
“The longer the weeks go on and you are not getting on or sitting in the stand, I did start thinking I wasn’t going to play.
“But I kept my head up as there was no point mumping and moaning.
“That’s not going to help me in the long run.
“Thankfully I got back on the park last Saturday and hopefully I showed everyone I am still a good player and can bring a positive impact to the team.
“I wanted to prove a point.”
Arguments?
So, what happened in that discussion with boss Gary Bowyer?
In August, the Courier reported the former Dunfermline and Livingston man was told he could leave the club after three years at Dens Park.
Speculation has followed that there was some sort of bust-up between the pair.
Byrne, though, has set the record straight.
“He just told me I was an experienced player and I might not play as often as I would like,” the midfielder said.
“He wanted to give me the chance to go somewhere else.
“I have read stuff saying the manager and I had had this and that – there has genuinely been nothing like that.
“There have been no arguments, none of that stuff.
“I have kept my head down, kept training away. There’s no point chucking it, that’s not going to do anyone any good.
“I just looked after myself and thankfully I got a chance to get on the park.
“There have been genuinely been no arguments, disagreements, anything like that.
“He had his reasons, I just tried to work hard to prove him wrong and show I can still do a job for this club and be a big player for the team.
“In football you are always trying to prove someone wrong. Some fans like you, some don’t, you are never going to be everyone’s cup of tea.
“But as long as you are doing what you are asked for the team then that’s the most important thing.”
Safety net
In fact, Byrne couldn’t speak highly enough of the way Bowyer has treated him in regards to his family situation.
Wife Katy is pregnant while Gran Patsy received the dreadful news of a cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Support has been there from the club and he’s grateful for that.
“At the moment my gran is severely ill with cancer,” Byrne revealed.
“Football, no matter what is going on at home, is a safety net.
“When you’re in training it takes your mind off everything else.
“And when you’re playing games you’re not thinking about anything going on outside.
“So it has been good to come in here and keep training.
“Saturdays have been a nightmare when I have gone home, my missus was probably delighted to see me so happy last weekend for the first time in a long time.
“It has been a difficult few months in terms of football but also off the park as well.
“It’s good to keep coming in and working hard and dealing with what’s at home when you get back.”
Close to Dundee exit?
Offers came in for Byrne before the transfer window shut.
But how close was he to leaving the club?
“When I got told that I could leave, I had a few offers including one from England,” Byrne added.
“But my wife is pregnant and we foster a wee girl who has autism as well so it would never have been possible.
“I also thought to myself that I am good enough to be playing in this team so I said that to the manager.
“After the loan window closed, the manager said it is a clean slate so just keep working hard and that’s what I have done.
“When you get told you might not play and you can leave you probably do think about leaving.
“I want to play, I’m used to playing.
“This is the longest period, outwith my injury last season, that I have not played.
“So there was a bit of thought.
“But when I really thought about it I decided I didn’t want to go on loan just for the sake of it.
“I felt I could still do a good job for this team.”
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