DON'T BLAME DEREK - DUFFY

The 23-year-old was making only his second start for the club and was found guilty of bringing down Hearts striker Ramon Pereira in the 85th minute of the game at Dens Park.

Steven Pressley stepped up to the spot to give the Jambos an opening day win.

But Duffy believes the penalty award was debatable.

He said: "The penalty was maybe a bit harsh because Derek tried to draw his hand in, but these things happen.

"We probably did enough in the game to deserve the draw, but we lacked a bit of quality at times."

However, despite seeing the bubble of optimism around Dens Park burst by Pressley's spot-kick, the Dundee boss maintains there is still plenty for the fans to relish this season.

Dundee exited administration on Friday to offer hope of a brighter future at the club after a nightmare financial period.

But the Dark Blues' manager is confident the encouraging partnership of Steve Lovell and on-loan John Sutton is beginning to display results.

Duffy said: "I thought Hearts had the better of the first half and we rode our luck at times.

"The second half was more of a stalemate and we did think we were going to hold on to the 0-0.

"I was disappointed at the lapse in concentration which led to the Hearts' goal, we were caught high up the pitch and we are going to have to learn to cut that sort of thing out."

"Saying that, I thought we did well at the back so I am not going to criticise them too much.

"The signs were there that we can do something this season and, once John Sutton and Steve Lovell get more games together, they will form a good partnership.

"They were up against two international players and, in Steven Pressley, you have got someone who is a top class defender and you can't buy the experience he has."

Hearts head coach Craig Levein also took encouragement from the game but conceded his team should have had the points wrapped before the closing five minutes.

He said: "I would rather have scored earlier in the game, because, the longer it stayed at 0-0, it looked as though it might stay that way.

"I thought we played well and deserved to win. We were solid at the back and created numerous changes.

"I was pleased with the way Ramon (Pereira) played and, on another day, he would have got a couple of goals but their goalkeeper did well.

"I thought Joe Hamill had his best game for us today. His passing was excellent, even though the pitch was a bit sticky".

But Levein applauded the temperament of his captain Pressley, who took the crucial spot-kick after missing twice in pre-season games.

He said: "I have to give a lot of praise to Pressley because he always seems to score when it matters.

"He missed two penalties in two seasons, against Fulham and one in Canada, so there was a lot of pressure on him but he handled it well."

Taken from sportinglife.com