Dundee midfielder Stephen McGinn believes Paul Hartley’s positivity has driven them on to clinch a top six place in the Premiership.
Many managers would have settled for security on a first season in the top flight after promotion according to the former Sheffield United man, but Hartley isn’t one of them.
And, now that spot is secured after Kilmarnock’s defeat to Aberdeen yesterday, that determination of the Dens Park boss, and his players’ response to it, has been rewarded.
Dundee may have lost 1-0 to St Johnstone on Saturday but that won’t detract from the Dark Blues achievement, McGinn insisted.
He said: “Nobody’s going to remember this game at the end of the season. They’ll just look back on Dundee making the top six.
“One of the first things the manager said to me when I signed in January was that we wanted to get in the top six.
“He was adamant about it.
“It’s something we’ve really gone for. His determination has definitely had an effect.
“I’ve been in dressing rooms where the manager has placed the emphasis on what’s happening below and to make sure we’re not dragged into a relegation battle.
“The manager here hasn’t mentioned that once. Not once.
“It’s always been about the top six, and we’ve given everything we’ve got to do it.
“It’s really helped that he’s such a positive guy.“