Dundee boss Gordon Chisholm believes working with former Rangers and Scotland striker Billy Dodds could move Leigh Griffiths’ game on to an even higher plain but only if he takes Dodds’ coaching on board.
The Dark Blues front man has been shortlisted along with SPL talents David Goodwillie, Danny Wilson and Anthony Stokes for the SPFA Young Player of the Year award.
Chisholm believes he is entirely deserving of being mentioned in that company.
However, the Dens Park manager made clear yesterday that, if Griffiths is to realise his undoubted potential, then he needs to take advantage of having so knowledgable a mentor as Dodds.
“Being nominated for the Young Player of the Year award is great for Leigh,” said Chisholm.
“I think he deserves it because of all the goals he’s scored … but he’s just a kid and has so much more to learn.
“To do that he needs to listen and in Billy Dodds he’s got the best striking coach in the game.
“It’s great he’s competing with the top boys in the SPL for awards but the most important thing is making sure he progresses from here and keeps his feet on the ground.”
It has been confirmed that defender Gary MacKenzie who joins MK Dons next term has played his last game for the club, although he is unlikely to need surgery for his groin problem and may not need a knee operation.
“Gary has been to see the specialists in England and he’s been told rest will cure his groin complaint,” the manager said. “But they want to have another scan on his knee so that’s his season over.”
Long-term crock David Cowan is closing in on a first-team return.
“David got the full 90 minutes of our closed doors game with Celtic on Wednesday and is ready now,” said Chisholm. “I’d say this weekend against Morton is a little bit early for him but after that he would come into contention.”
Midfielder Paul McHale played 45 minutes against the Hoops after being out since last year.