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EXCLUSIVE: Paul McGowan on his top Dundee memory, Jason Cummings’ chandelier and which manager would have ended his stay early

The modern-day Dark Blues legend has said farewell after nine years at Dens Park.

Paul McGowan looks back on his 302 appearances for Dundee after leaving the club.
Paul McGowan looks back on his 302 appearances for Dundee after leaving the club.

To say Paul McGowan’s Dundee career was eventful does not do his nine year service justice.

A modern-day club legend, the 35-year-old has said his farewells to all at Dens Park after 302 appearances.

McGowan made special mention to the club’s supporters, with whom he retains a special bond after almost a decade together.

‘Paul McGowan, he’s our friend…’ has been a regular refrain around Dens Park in recent seasons.

Sadly a fitting farewell in front of packed stands hasn’t been possible after he spent the second half of last season on loan at Dunfermline.

Paul McGowan celebrates with Dundee fans at Dens Park after scoring against Hibs.
Paul McGowan celebrates with Dundee fans at Dens Park after scoring against Hibs. Image: SNS.

However, his best memories at Dundee remain undimmed.

He would play his own part in last season’s Championship success before helping the Pars get over the line in their League One triumph.

But it’s the Dens Park club’s previous promotion that stands out as his favourite moment in dark blue as a late surge forgave early-season stumbles – and proved plenty of doubters wrong.

Dundee highlight

In an exclusive chat with Courier Sport, McGowan was asked about the highlight of his 300-plus appearances for the club.

“Probably getting promoted. Because we were under so much pressure,” he replied.

“I look back at that season and was it enjoyable? No.

“We were getting hammered left, right and centre but rightly so.

“Some of the games we never performed and if you asked anybody whether we would’ve got promoted they would have said no.

“I still believed we could do it through the play-offs.

Paul McGowan (left) celebrates with Cammy Kerr as Dundee head for promotion at Rugby Park. Image: SNS.

“Hearts were a mile away but I always felt we had enough and we just hit form at the right time.

“To go up that way, considering some of the games that season we were so low on confidence.

“How we managed it – you look back now and it’s quite remarkable we did it considering some of those games.

“Those matches against Kilmarnock we dominated and, in my opinion, the score should have been a lot more.

“To get promoted after such an up-and-down season stands out the most.”

THAT chandelier moment

In the midst of the Covid lockdown with restrictions only just beginning to loosen – 500 home fans were allowed in for each leg – celebrations had to be low-key as well.

Only nobody told the irrepressible Jason Cummings and footage emerged online of the striker swinging from a chandelier with the party in full flow.

McGowan, however, had learned from his own past problems, with one of his multiple assault convictions coming from an incident following a club Player of the Year dinner.

Dundee celebrate promotion at Rugby Park.
Dundee celebrate promotion at Rugby Park.

“That was Jason Cummings with the chandelier! I had no lives left so I was trying to keep it PG!” McGowan said.

“You don’t get moments like that too often in football.

“They don’t come around often enough for anybody. Once you get them it’s just good to celebrate them with the boys.

“That’s what you want.

“Just having that day and night celebrating with each other, it’s brilliant.”

Managers

McGowan’s time at the club also saw him play for six different managers.

He was one of Paul Hartley’s first signings in 2014 as he built a squad for the top-flight.

That team finished in the top six, Dundee’s best league finish since the turn of the century.

Hartley was replaced by Neil McCann before Jim McIntyre came in, then there was James McPake followed by Mark McGhee and finally Gary Bowyer last term.

There have been times when almost all of them decided there wasn’t a place for McGowan in the team.

Paul McGowan and Paul Hartley and 2016.
Paul McGowan and Paul Hartley and 2016. Image: SNS.

But McGowan’s attitude consistently saw him find a way back in.

“I owe a lot to Paul Hartley for bringing me to the club. He stood by me in some of the toughest times of my career,” McGowan added.

“I have massive admiration for him.

“Knowing him from Celtic and what a good guy he was, when he spoke to me it was a no-brainer for me to sign at Dundee.

“The first season we got top six so everything worked out.

“Did I ever think I’d make it so long? Probably not.

“Managers have come and gone but I’ve got on with pretty much all of them.

McGowan with Neil McCann in 2017.
McGowan with Neil McCann in 2017.

“The only one I never really clicked with, there was no issue, was Jim McIntyre. We never fell out or anything but I think he was the only one who would have changed it if he was given time.

“A lot of the managers have come in and probably wanted to bring their own players so I’ve had to prove myself to them.

“It was the same with Gary Bowyer last season as well.

“I had to prove it all over again.”

‘Proud’

Ultimately, though, he lost his place in the team after a poor 3-1 defeat at Cove Rangers and injury left him sidelined until he moved to Dunfermline on loan.

But he became only the 20th player in the 130 year history of Dundee Football Club to play more than 300 times for the club.

He added: “It’s a great achievement, especially here with the amount of players and managers who have come and gone over the years.

“I’m proud of it.”

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