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Jordan McGhee: 'We can hold our own in Premiership next season'

The midfielder believes the players assembled by James McPake can make their mark in the top flight.

Jordan McGhee has backed Dundee's oven-ready Premiership squad to cook up a storm next season.

Dens Park chief executive John Nelms has vowed to back James McPake with funds this summer after seeing his boss steer the Dark Blues through the play-offs.

But having watched former top-flight performers like Charlie Adam, Paul McMullen, Danny Mullen, Shaun Byrne and Liam Fontaine put in huge performances over the two victorious displays which sank Kilmarnock, former Hearts ace McGhee believes Dundee are good to go.

"It's transformed our summer," said McGhee as he reflected on Monday's promotion-clinching second-leg win at Rugby Park.

"It's massive. You just want to cherish the moment as these nights don't come around that often in your career.

"I turned around in the dressing room before the game and there were players with immense quality all around me.

"On the park, when things aren't going well, you look around and see a Premiership team.

"We've definitely got a side here that can go and have a right good go at the Premiership and kick on.

"I think we've got the nucleus of a team that can do something. I think we showed that not just on Monday night but over other games.

"We took a doing from Hearts at the start of the season but since then we've picked ourselves up, done well against Hibs in the Betfred Cup, against St Johnstone in the Scottish we gave a good account of ourselves.

"We've got a team that's hungry and is young as well. We're ready for the Premiership."

Reclaiming the club's top-flight status two years on from being relegated seemed a distant dream for McPake's men after a dismal start.

They were left languishing in seventh place following two wins from their first eight games but bit by bit, the Dees picked up speed eventually powering over the finish line in second.

And with momentum growing, they were able to surge past play-off rivals Raith Rovers and Killie to reclaim their place amongst the big boys.

"We've been kicked up and down the park all season by everyone," said McGhee, whose Dens Park opener sent Dundee on their way to a 4-2 aggregate.

"Especially with the way we started the season against Hearts (losing 6-2 at Tynecastle). To come back and get the club back to where it belongs means everything to us as players.

"I couldn't tell you what the turning point in the season was – probably our attitude and finding confidence.

"We found a formation which suited us and people have chipped in with goals all over the park.

"When that happens, you've always got a chance of winning."

McGhee has been converted from a failed full-back into a goalscoring midfielder by McPake.

"I can't thank the manager enough," he said. "He's been different class with me since I came in.

"The players fully believed in everything we did, he'd have gameplans for every match and we managed to stick to them.

"It's been a top club since I came in the door. We should cherish this moment and come out after the summer all guns blazing."

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St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright pictured in January 2016
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
Relegation Group
1Hibernian21014854-642
2Aberdeen22003749-1241
3Motherwell21015053-340
4Ross County21013459-2533
5St Johnstone20022550-2531
RLivingston21012563-3821
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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