Dundee 1 Ross County 2
Neil McCann and Dundee off to a bad start as Ross County run out with a win
Last updated 5th Aug 2017
Ross County dashed Dundee's hopes of a winning start as they claimed a deserved opening-day 2-1 victory in the Ladbrokes Premiership at Dens Park.
Goals from Jamie Lindsay and Christopher Routis ensured a hard-working success for Jim McIntyre's men.
It meant Neil McCann was denied the victory he had been aiming for in his first league match since taking over as Dundee manager on a permanent basis earlier in the summer, after a spell in caretaker charge.
County went down 3-1 to the Dark Blues in Dingwall on the first day of last season but here they edged ahead through Lindsay's 35th-minute drive before Routis headed in to double the lead after 61 minutes. Substitute Jack Hendry grabbed an 86th-minute headed consolation for the Taysiders.
The hosts began by carving out two decent chances within the opening minutes.
Roarie Deacon released Cammy Kerr whose cross from the right was perfect for Scott Allan, but the on-loan Celtic midfielder's shot was blocked by County skipper Andrew Davies.
Soon after, Sofien Moussa's cut-back fell for Mark O'Hara who saw his 10-yard effort parried away by visiting keeper Scott Fox.
County replied after 17 minutes when former Dundee United playmaker Michael Gardyne hit a shot from the edge of the penalty area which home keeper Scott Bain saw flash past his post.
Gardyne then pounced on some slack defending from Dundee before crossing to the far post where Jason Naismith had ghosted toward but could not make contact.
County were getting some joy down Dundee's left. Ten minutes before half-time, Naismith crossed for Alex Schalk, and his effort was stopped by Bain.
However, the Highlanders did not have to wait too much longer for the breakthrough.
From Sean Kelly's free-kick, Davies nodded downwards and without hesitation on-loan Celtic midfielder Lindsay lashed an unstoppable strike home low past Bain from 22-yards.
It was a memorable finish from 21-year-old Lindsay who went on to run the show in midfield.
Dundee suffered a setback early in the second half when striker Moussa limped off and was replaced by Faissal El Bakhtaoui.
To make matters worse, County extended their lead in simple fashion.
Kelly's looping corner led to a free header from Routis who directed it low into the corner of the net to put the Staggies in command.
Dundee pulled one back through defender Hendry's towering header from Allan's corner but still could not avoid being booed off by their own fans on the final whistle.