Dundee manager Tony Docherty hailed Michael Mellon after the striker capped a fine debut with a goal and two assists in a 4-1 victory at Livingston.
The on-loan Burnley player only entered the pitch as a substitute in the 61st minute but that was still enough time to set up Luke McCowan and Zach Robinson either side of a penalty from Livingston forward Tete Yengi.
Amadou Bakayoko opened the scoring in the 19th minute and Mellon wrapped up the scoring with a finish from outside the box late on.
Docherty, whose side are now 13 points clear of basement side Livingston, said: “He was outstanding.
“I’m not surprised either. He played over 28 minutes I think and got two assists and a goal.
“I know what he is. It’s the reason we waited and went to such lengths to get him.
“It’s great credit to the relationship the board have with Burnley.
“He had so many suitors and you could see why.
“For Luke McCowan’s goal, there is a real calmness. For Zach Robinson’s goal, he chases a lost cause and gets an assist and then his goal was outstanding.
“Really pleased but not surprised.
“I know what he’ll bring to the team.”
Dundee also had to overcome the loss of McCowan to a second yellow card in the 74th minute when they were leading 2-0.
McCowan later apologised to Docherty for his cynical trip on Yengi that led to his dismissal but Docherty was thrilled with how his team responded after throwing away a two-goal lead in the defeat to Hearts on Tuesday evening.
Docherty added: “I’m absolutely delighted with the team’s resilience, spirit and mentality.
“My team came in for a lot of criticism on Tuesday night at Hearts and questions were asked about the mentality of the team.
“I thought my players answered that in spades today.
“The resilience of the group was there for all to see.”
Livingston – without a victory in 14 league games – remain six adrift at the basement ahead of Tuesday’s crucial bottom of the table clash with Ross County.
Manager Davie Martindale said: “We don’t want to speak too much about what goes on in the changing room.
“But, we’ve had these discussions throughout the season – and we don’t seem to be getting any better, if I’m being honest.
“I’ve tried everything over 23 games to lift the group. I’ve tried everything, done everything.
“But as individuals I think we’ve got to look at ourselves.
“Individuals now need to start taking their individual responsibility.
“There’s too many ‘sorrys’…every week there’s a ‘sorry’.”
Leicester's Fatawu ruled out for rest of season with ACL injury
Leicester City manager Steve Cooper confirmed Abdul Fatawu will miss the rest of the season.
The 20-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) while playing for Ghana against Angola during the international break.
Fatawu has featured in all 11 of Leicester's Premier League matches so far this season and has registered two assists.
No Leicester player has attempted (61) or completed (29) more dribbles than him, while his 30 crosses is also a team-high in the top-flight this season.
"It's not good, it's a serious injury," said Cooper ahead of their match against Chelsea on Saturday.
"It's a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.
"Albeit, it can be quite common in sport, and in particular football, but it's still a serious injury.
"For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.
"He's obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.
"It's only a pause, and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which, with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case."
Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feels 'surreal', says Slegers
Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.
The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.
What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.
Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.
Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.
"It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.
"I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.
"I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.
"It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."
Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.
They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.
"It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.
"The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.
"I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."
Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feel surreal, says Slegers
Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.
The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.
What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.
Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.
Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.
"It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.
"I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.
"I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.
"It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."
Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.
They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.
"It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.
"The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.
"I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."
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