Dundee midfielder Gary Harkins has revealed that getting on well with his players is one of the secrets of manager Barry Smith’s success.
As the Dark Blues lay their 17-match unbeaten league record on the line at Firhill against Partick this Saturday, Harkins paid tribute to Smith after he collected yet another manager of the month award.
He insisted that the good relationship between the gaffer and his charges is helping Dundee’s cause.
“It is his first job in management and he has taken to it like a duck to water,” said Harkins.
“As a group of players, we have enjoyed working for him since October.
“Man-management wise he is first class.
“For me, the most important thing is always how you get on with your manager.
“If you have a good relationship you will take on board what the gaffer is saying because you respect him.”
Harkins believes the first thing the club should do post-administration is offer him a permanent deal.Contract”It would be sensible to tie the gaffer up on a contract as soon as the club is out of administration,” he added.
“He is a young manager who is unbeaten in the league since he took over, and that’s with a squad of 12 players.
“It would be silly then for the club not to make him permanent here because all the lads want it to happen.”
Harkins went on, “You can’t argue with the gaffer’s results and he deserves to be manager of the month again.
“He only dropped two points in the month of February which speaks for itself.”
Harkins is returning to former club Thistle and believes the unbeaten run will be severely tested.
“It is another tough one down at Firhill this weekend,” he said.
“You always know what you are getting down there and the pitch isn’t great.
“They’re a good hard-working side who have been on a decent run of form right now.Dipped”They might have dipped just a little recently but that won’t make it any easier for us.”
Rhys Weston has recovered from tendonitis and will play, while central defensive colleague Craig McKeown is available before having to sit out Tuesday’s trip to Cowdenbeath through suspension.
Winger Neil McCann is expected to play the last of his three games as a trialist, but Craig Robertson will be back in the juniors with Lochee United this weekend.
There may yet be another trialist in the Dundee ranks, though.
Boss Smith commented, “We’re still fighting to make sure we are not relegated.
“The players know that until we’re mathematically safe that won’t change.”
The Jags will be missing defender Willie Kinniburgh with a thigh injury and striker Simon Donnelly with a groin problem.
Martin Grehan is pushing for a starting place after netting a hat-trick in a reserve game against Queen’s Park during the week.
On-loan Hearts midfielder Ryan McGowan could also feature.
Thistle assistant manager Ian Maxwell said, “We are in the middle of a really busy schedule and we will want to be as fresh as possible for this game against an in-form side.”