Dundee manager Jim McIntyre has called claims that some of his players have given up “absolute bulls**t.”
In the face of criticism of the Dark Blues following an eighth successive defeat that saw them fall six points adrift at the foot of the Premiership, McIntyre chose to defend his under-fire team.
He just doesn’t believe they have already accepted they will be playing in the Championship next season.
“Nobody should be saying this team have thrown the towel in because they certainly haven’t,” said McIntyre, who looked on in frustration as they lost 2-0 to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.
“Players who are not high in confidence, it can eat into the decision-making and causes nerves.
“I have been trying to take that away from the players and getting them to play with a freedom.
“As a manager you can bemoan the mistakes and the lack of finishing when we create opportunities but you also have to encourage and we need a lift.
“Is the workrate and fighting spirit there? Of course it is.
“I watch the games back and there is no lack of effort or desire.
“What I am seeing is a fragility. There is a fragility there, about us as a team, when we go behind.”
He added: “There is no shortage of commitment from the loan boys.
“I have heard that (being) labelled at them.
“That is bulls**t – absolute bulls**t.
“All the boys who are here are fully committed and desperate to play and do well here.
“They do care – of course they care.
“You can spot it a mile away when somebody switches off but nobody has switched off.”
