Dundee 4
Clydebank (1965) 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Newspaper extract from Bill McFarlane | The Sunday Post.

Many a famous vessel has been Clydebank-launched to then earn world-wide fame. Now Dundee, too, are in a position to use their Clydebank slipway to launch themselves on Europe again after a 12-year absence.

Manager Archie Knox said beforehand, unglamorous as this match was, it could be their most important of the season. So, despite little atmosphere, he must have been impressed with Dundee's approach.

They were far too good for this dull, uninteresting Clydebank team.

And, although Dundee are still a fair bit short on the halcyon days, of Gilzean and Ure, when they almost conquered the Continent, things are most definitely looking up at Dens Park.

Only some careless finishing and inspired keeping by Jim Gallacher prevented Dundee from at least doubling their score. It was as one-sided as that.

Dundee's midfield of Mennie, Shannon and Connor dug in from the word go and controlled the game for the entire 90 minutes. Ray Stephen, in particular, thrived on some excellent service to register his first-ever hat- trick for the Dark Blues.

Considering Stephen is far from being 100% fit, it was a marvellous achievement.

His first followed a good move down the right. Mennie released Forsyth to cross, Harvey and Gallacher collided and the ball broke to Stephen, who scored easily.

Number two came as a result of a tremendous run from McKinlay. It took him past three defenders, Gallacher could only block his shot, and the ever-alert Stephen pounced again.

The hat-trick arrived courtesy of McKinlay too. A good run and a cross found Ray at the far post to score a straightforward third.

Between Stephen's second and third goals, Graham Harvey scored with a well-directed, powerful header from a Forsyth free kick.

Gallacher, who had no chance with any of the goals, saved brilliantly from Shannon (twice), Harvey and Stephen. Harvey, Hendry and Stephen also passed up excellent opportunities..

So, on a surprisingly good surface, Dundee have set themselves up nicely for their next league match against Rangers, the side they must overhaul to win a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

Before then, of course, they play Aberdeen at Dens in the Scottish Cup. Dons manager, Alex. Ferguson, sitting in the directors' box, must have been impressed.

They had sterling service from McKinlay, Shannon, Harvey, Connor and, of course, Stephen.

Clydebank seemed to have lost their will to win. They were outplayed and out-thought in every department and are the poorest Premier League side I have seen this season.

Only the veterans, Gallacher and Fallon, took any pride in their performance.

To rub salt into the visitors already gaping wounds, they had four players booked. Maher for clattering Hendry; Hughes for dissent; Auld for pulling back Harvey; and Conroy for a foul on Duffy.

Man of the Match-RAY STEPHEN. The well-deserved standing ovation he received when he came off near the end says it all. He really is having a wonderful season..