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Dundee boss Gary Bowyer on January signings, Niall McGinn’s future and player contracts

Dundee manager Gary Bowyer. Image: SNS.
Dundee manager Gary Bowyer. Image: SNS.

The January transfer window will be open by the time Dundee next take to the pitch on Monday at home to Arbroath.

However, manager Gary Bowyer says there will be no new faces to parade at the start of the window for the Dark Blues.

He has, though, reiterated a desire to add to his existing squad as they aim to keep their place at the top of the Championship.

“No signings on the horizon right now,” the Dens boss admitted.

“I’ve been around long enough to know circumstances of targets you have pre-Christmas change so quickly.

“I would certainly like to add one or two but they have to be the right types, I won’t just bring in somebody for the sake of it.”

Niall McGinn

Niall McGinn takes on Hamilton earlier this season. Image: SNS.

Another question is whether any of the current squad will be heading out the door next month.

One player who has been frozen out of first-team matters completely is Northern Ireland international Niall McGinn.

His last first-team appearance came in a September defeat to Inverness.

Bowyer insists there has been no bust-up with the former Celtic and Aberdeen man but admits its not certain whether the 35-year-old will be moving on in January.

Asked if McGinn would be leaving, Bowyer replied: “I don’t know.

“He falls into the category with others that maybe haven’t had game time but if no offers come in then they don’t go anywhere.

“We honour the contracts and it is up to the individual.

Niall McGinn finds the net against Forfar. Image: SNS.

“My advice to any player is that if you haven’t been playing and the opportunity presents itself then you want to play, don’t you?”

And asked if he would feature again under his management, Bowyer responded: “You can never say never but at the moment the lads have been flying and we want to maintain that.

“There’s been no bust-up.”

McGinn has since been linked with a move to Northern Irish side Glentoran.

Out-of-contract players

Another issue next month will be the majority of the squad moving into the final few months of their current contracts.

Only Shaun Byrne and Zak Rudden of the current senior set-up have deals that last beyond this summer.

In an interview with Courier Sport this week, star player Paul McMullan revealed he’d had no contact over a possible new contract.

Paul McMullan. Image: SNS.

In January players will be free to speak to other clubs regarding a pre-contract deal with another club, the route McMullan himself used to secure his move to Dens Park from rivals Dundee United.

Bowyer, though, has revealed discussions will be had this week to initiate contract talks with players.

“We have a meeting this week to discuss contracts with Gordon Strachan, who then takes that to John Nelms,” the Dundee boss said.

Gordon Strachan alongside Dundee chief John Nelms
Technical director Gordon Strachan and Dundee chief John Nelms.

“At the moment, players just have to concentrate on doing what they have been doing.

“The advice I give to players is to just keep your head down and concentrate on performances.

“I’ve seen it before, once players start thinking another team might be interested before you know it the performance level goes down and they drop out of the team.

“We have lads coming out of a contract in the summer and have that hunger to get a new deal.

“That’s the balancing act, you have to keep them that hungry without them getting distracted.”

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