Dundee defender Owen Bevan was delighted his dad was there to celebrate in his derby day glory as his rare goal sealed a 2-0 win across the road at Dundee United.
The defender admitted his father had been there through the ups and downs and had helped him through the low points of his injuries over the last few years. So it was good for him to be in the away support at Tannadice to see his goal and savour this big win. It was also reward for Mr Bevan travelling the length of the country from Southampton.
Dad's dedication rewarded
Bevan said: “Yes, he loves it. He comes to all my games since I was young. He has driven me up and down the country and dedicated a lot to get me here. He deserves every bit of that success, as I do.
“He is based in Southampton. He came up for the Celtic game and I told him to come up for the derby because it would be a good game. I managed to get a goal as well.
“For sure, he has always been there for advice and to give me a reality check at times, when it is harder to look at the bigger picture. He has been there through everything.”
Goal seals the win
Dundee took the lead in the first half after a sloppy pass from Abdoulaye Yoro. He gifted the ball to Drey Wright who surged out of his own half and smashed a shot past Jack Walton from over 25 yards. It was some strike, but United shot themselves in the foot in the build-up with some lacklustre play.
The Dark Blues sealed the win in the second period. A corner was half-cleared and Alan Forrest’s shot was flicked in by Bevan, as he was just getting back to his feet.
Bevan admitted: “It was a good shot from Al and I just managed to get a little flick off it, as I came off the floor. I had gone up for a header and I will take it. I meant it.
“It was an unbelievable feeling. It is a feeling I have missed, scoring goals. In fairness, I haven’t scored many goals. Getting involved in a team where we are pressing high and looking to dominate teams and be aggressive.”
Long wait for a goal
It had been a long wait for that first goal. The former Bournemouth player said: “It is three years since my last goal for Yeovil. It is also nearly three years since my last professional game as well. I don’t score many and so I will take them when they come.”
Dundee never looked back as soon as they went ahead. Steven Pressley claimed his team dug it out and it had looked nothing like the game plan he had put in place. United sent on attacking players but some of their summer signings are still adapting to the league and still need to get up to speed.
United are struggling for goals just now and need to start putting points on the board. When they did get in front of goal they couldn’t find a way past the impressive Dundee keeper Owen Goodman.
Centre half Bevan insisted: “Yes, I loved it. It was tough at times and we had to compete. In the end, we knew it would be a scrappy game. We were happy to dig in and fight and take the three points.”
Joint-top but staying humble
Dundee have lost just the one league game, when they narrowly fell at Celtic. They are now joint-top but are refusing to get carried away. The 22-year-old said: “We don’t really look at that. We focus on the next game. All we do is work hard ever and stay humble. We will keep working and there is no limit.”
Bevan is gaining belief with every week. The biggest confidence he can take is that he is playing every week. He went up to Hibs from Bournemouth and that was wrecked by injury. He is now over his injuries and has confidence in his own body. That is the biggest thing.
Bevan added: “There were times when you doubt yourself. I have always had that self-belief that I could get back to the levels I needed to get to. I never let my standard slip. It is a big relief and feeling to be back there.
“It is good and I feel physically good. The is what I have worked so hard to get into the spot where I can do that. It is a good feeling.
“I feel 100% that I can play every week. There were times last season when I was in and out. I knew I needed to get to the point where I could go week after week and I feel I am at that point now.”
Captain Simon Murray is now in that challenging position. He is now looking to fight back from a second ACL injury. The skipper was still part of the squad for Saturday and Bevan dedicated this win was for him.
Bevan confirmed: “Definitely, he is a huge part of the team on and off the pitch. He deserves that win as much as everyone.
“That is the guy he is - he has been getting us up for this game. He is a good leader and a good person to have in the dressing room. He has helped us a lot.”
