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GARY WHO?

I’d never heard of my new Dundee manager – I had to Google Gary Bowyer admits Dens Park star

JOSH MULLIGAN admits he had to Google his new gaffer at Dundee.

Now he hopes to click with him as quickly as he did with his old one.

Josh Mulligan in action for Dundee against Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup
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Josh Mulligan in action for Dundee against Dumbarton in the Scottish CupCredit: John Kirkby
Josh Mulligan training with Scotland Under-21s
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Josh Mulligan training with Scotland Under-21s

The midfielder was away with Scotland’s Under-21s when he heard Gary Bowyer was the new Dens boss.

The former Blackpool and Blackburn gaffer’s name meant nothing to the 19-year-old.

But after predecessor Mark McGhee handed him a dream Premiership run after a loan spell at Peterhead ended in January, he’s keen to make a big impression on Bowyer too.

Mulligan said: “I didn’t know a lot about the new manager but I’ve looked him up and I’ve heard he’s experienced.

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“I’m looking forward to pre-season and getting started with him.

“As far as I’m aware none of the boys have met him yet as we’re all still off.

“I really liked Mark, though, so I hope he does well in the future. I wished him all the best and he did the same with me. But now I need to get off to a good start in pre-season to show the new manager what I can do.

“The main thing will be to ensure I’m really fit and sharp when we all go back.”

Mulligan netted three times in 13 appearances but couldn’t prevent Dundee finishing at the foot of the table.

However his displays landed him a first spot in Scot Gemmill’s squad and he made his debut off the bench in Sunday’s 0-0 draw in Belgium.

He could feature again in today’s final group clash in Denmark.

Mulligan said: “The season was bitter-sweet. Obviously it wasn’t a good season for the club but for me personally it was.

“Now all I am thinking of is getting Dundee back up into the Premiership.

“No one will underestimate how hard it will be to do that. The Championship is going to be a tough league. There’ll be a lot of good teams next season.

“Making my Under-21s debut was a proud moment for me and my family. They are really happy for me.

“They were looking to come over but decided not to. Denmark will be different to Belgium but it’s obviously going to be a tough game.”

Whilst Belgium were unbeaten in charging towards winning Group I, Denmark were the No 1 seeds.

The Danes need to win their final two games to ensure they finish in second spot.

Scotland can’t qualify but Gemmill insists the clash is important as it could see them move up to No 3 seeds for the next campaign.

He said: “This is a big game in terms of coefficient. The last official notification from Uefa in February had us in pot three.

“The calculation for that is over two-and-a-half cycles of competition.

“It’s very complicated but the fact we got that in February says we’d moved up.

“That could change because we lost in Turkey and drew in Kazakhstan and Belgium.

“But because of how complicated the calculation is it shows we’re making progress.

“I always speak about the balance of qualification and player development.

“But we’re moving forwards and hopefully we can secure our position in pot three, which would be a big step.

“Add in the number of former 21s playing in the full squad and I’m really pleased.”

Celtic’s Matt O’Riley — whose mum is Danish — will be in midfield for the home side.

Scotland have had a better record on their travels than at home in this campaign.

Gemmill, who’ll be without the banned Connor Barron, added: “This will be a really hard game — Denmark are officially the No 1 team and are very strong.

“They’re a very well coached team and in the home game they caused us a lot of problems.

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“They’re very powerful in midfield, they have good wingers and we’re going to have to be ready.

“But we will be ready. The players will be given a plan specific to the game then they have to go and do their job.”

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