New Dundee manager Neil McCann found it ‘easy’ to raise spirits at club

New Dundee manager Neil McCann claims it has been "easy'' to lift his players following seven straight defeats and the sacking of Paul Hartley.

McCann has been handed the final five games of the season to get Dundee out of their losing run and save them from relegation.

But the former Dens Park winger has not found it difficult to raise spirits ahead of Saturday's trip to face Motherwell.

"It's been so simple,'' he said. "It really has been very easy. I ask them to do something and I haven't seen anyone with their shoulders slumped over.

"They have all been really up and at it. They certainly look as if they have got goals in their mind and that's exactly what I want.''

McCann was a surprise appointment given he has spent recent seasons as a Sky Sports pundit following a coaching spell with Dunfermline.

But the club are banking on his fresh voice and positivity - and popularity with the fans - making the difference in their quest to get out of the bottom two in the Premiership.

"It's about coming in and trying to make an impact, making the guys feel confident again, and making them understand a winning mentality again,'' the 42-year-old said.

"Having been on the other side of that is difficult but if anyone had come and watched training last Thursday and Friday, they wouldn't believe we are in the position we are in.''

McCann added of his first six days of training: "It's been absolutely brilliant. I can see the guys have immediately bought into what I'm trying to do. I have got my own standards that I have tried to implement and they are right up there, face on, meeting the challenge.

"I can see their confidence in what we are doing, I can see they are enjoying it, and there's a real competitive edge to them.

"I have come in here with an opinion that we are good enough, if we get things right and play to our strengths.

"I have actually been surprised that they are even better than what I possibly thought. Because you don't really see a team until you see the nuts and bolts of training and see characters and see the mind set, and just see different personalities. I am delighted with what I have got to work with.''