THE Dundee manager Paul Hartley has named Paul McGowan in his squad to face St Johnstone even if it risks the player landing in more trouble with the law.

 

McGowan was last week convicted of police assault for the third time, but escaped a jail sentence and was placed on a 16-week restriction of liberty order.

The 27-year-old former Celtic and St Mirren player is confined to his home in Airdrie overnight as well as being forced to wear an electronic tag. The curfew meant he missed Dundee's 2-1 midweek defeat by Celtic at Dens Park.

McGowan has to be in his home by 7pm and Hartley admitted there was a chance of his player failing to meet that strict deadline if he can't make it back from Dundee in time due to traffic.

However, Hartley said: "Paul McGowan will be in the squad and I'm thinking seriously about playing him. He's really in my thoughts.

"This is his job. He's got to play. He gets paid to play football. He's in the squad for this game.

"We will use him in the games we can use him in, although obviously we can't use him in midweek matches.

"He's been one of our key players this season. Paul has had a really good season. He's been consistent.

"He trains well and he plays well also. We've spoken to him about getting back in time and he's been home within the period [of his 7pm curfew] so I don't see it being a problem."

Striker Greg Stewart wants his dream debut season to finish with Dundee piping Dundee United to a European spot.

Dundee have edged themselves into the top six of the Scottish Premiership and can put themselves in the frame for fourth place - and a potential Europa League spot - if they beat St Johnstone at Dens Park.

Stewart is one of four nominations for SPFA Scotland's Player of the Year and is greedy for more success.

Stewart said: "There's five points in it so, if we beat St Johnstone, I don't see why we can't go on and push for fourth place. It keeps your season alive and gives us incentive. That chance to get into Europe is there for us if we win games.

"The Dundee fans would be delighted if we manage to finish above them because Dundee United were flying at the start of the season.

"They have taken a wee hit in the last 10 games and selling their two best players didn't help either, but I'm sure they will come back."

Fellow forward Paul Heffernan also believes Dundee can still finish as high as fourth, which would exceed the expectations even of the ambitious Hartley.

The Irishman said: "When I spoke to the manager he said the club wanted to be top-six. That was his aim.

"Once you get into the top six everyone plays each other so you're taking points of other teams and you never know where you can finish up.

"The gaffer wants to finish in fourth place and that's achievable. If Inverness win the Scottish Cup then fourth place could mean Europe so it's all to play for. It's exciting. "

Dundee skipper Kevin Thomson is fit again but Gary Irvine and Gary Harkins are still out through injury.