Dundee 2
St Mirren 1
League (Premier Division)

Manager's Programme Notes

First of all allow me to welcome Iyou back to Dens Park for this our first home venture of the 86/87 season.

Clearly, finding myself in this new position of manager of Dundee Football Club, is a step which I never envisaged at the close of last term.

However, having been presented with the opportunity to take full charge I, as you know doubt have read, had no hesitation in accepting the post.

Having spent 20 of my 23 years in football as part of the Dark Blue set-up, that long experience has not surprisingly left its mark.

Needless to say I am indebted to the directors of the club for their invitation to succeed Archie Knox

in the managerial office here at Dens Park. My ambitions have long been to manage and this challenge is one I simply could not refuse.

Therefore, whether the nett result is success of failure, one thing is assured that I will be placing total dedication into my every effort to achieve the former.

Six years a coach with the Club plus what turned out to be a timely spell in full charge of the squad during our month-long close season trip to the U.S. and Canada have furnished me with vital experience with which to step into manage ment for the first time.

It is obvious that the job requires assistance and in that respect long and hard thought has gone in since Day 1 to finding the second in command.

Still, although such an appoint- ment is looked upon by myself as an urgent requirement I nevertheless have been determined not to rush into any hasty appointment. I want make certain that I get the right man.

As far as the future of the Club is concerned my first priority will be to maintain the improvement on the field enjoyed over the past 2½ years then to extend it!

The close season efforts on the other side of the Atlantic and the promise of all that was carried out in our preparations towards last week ends opening to the new term lead me to hope that we are on the right lines.