Shaun Byrne was delighted to play a big part in getting Craig Curran off the mark as a Dundee player.
And the Dark Blues midfielder believes it was just reward for the striker who went half-a-season without finding the net as the Dark Blues fell out of the Premiership.
Byrne is now hoping that the old saying about goals and London buses proves accurate and that Curran becomes a regular scorer for the Dens Park side, whose next game is on the road again at Cove Rangers tonight.
“I don’t know what I was doing that far up the park!” joked the ex-Livingston and Dunfermline player, looking back at the third goal Dundee scored against Raith Rovers in the Betfred Cup opener.
“I enjoyed playing my part in the goal, though.
“It was a great move before it got to me. I could see the right back coming across so I knew there would be a space and I was really happy to help Craig get his goal.
“His work-rate for the team is great and so is his attitude. He was always up at the front in the running during pre-season.
“You could see how much that goal meant to him.
“I think the fans were really happy for him as well. Hopefully he can kick on and get a few more.
“He combines well with Neller (Andrew Nelson). He’s always talking to him during games and giving tips off the pitch as well.”
Byrne came from a Livi squad whose unity was the bedrock of their success last season. So he knows a good dressing room when he sees one.
“The manager has said it’s a clean slate for everybody,” he said. “And that doesn’t just mean the new signings. It’s for the players who were here last year.
“The team spirit is brilliant and that’s going to be crucial if we’re going to be successful this season.”
Dundee’s approach against a team one league below them couldn’t be faulted on Saturday and Byrne insists it will be the same when they play a side two divisions beneath them tonight.
“Our attitude will have to be right again,” he said.
“This will be a tough game.
“They’ll be on a high after getting into the SPFL but if we match them then hopefully our quality will shine through.
“Another three points will put us in a good position in the group.”
Byrne, who confirmed that Cove boss Paul Hartley spoke to him about a possible transfer when he was in charge at Dundee and Falkirk, added: “They’ll fancy their chances on their own pitch.
“I know some players moan about the plastic pitches but I don’t mind them. I’m used to them. It is what it is.
“The Raith Rovers one on Saturday had the green pellets so I didn’t get covered in black ones like I used to at Livingston!
“It is an advantage for the home team, though. At Livi we trained on it every day so we knew how the ball would bounce and run.”
Manager James McPake has the same squad available to him that beat Raith.
