Nature-defying Kenny Miller can help Dundee to start climbing the table, says teammate Martin Woods

KENNY MILLER is “defying nature” for Dundee.

Now Martin Woods reckons the former Gers man can help the Dark Blues turn the Premiership’s “natural order” on its head.

Veteran hit-man Miller has bagged five goals in three games – including a midweek hat-trick against Hamilton Accies – as basement boys Dundee have found their feet under new boss Jim McIntyre.

Woods has also played a key role in the Dark Blues’ resurgence, which will be tested today by title-chasing Rangers.

But despite Dundee’s lowly league position, Woods insists the Dee believe a shock win is possible.

“We’ll go into the Rangers game knowing we can hurt them. They are a really good team, but I don’t think they’re unbeatable,” he said.

“We’ve got a good bit of confidence now after three unbeaten, but if we let our standards drop we’ll get punished.

“Hopefully we bring our best on Sunday and get something decent – and If Kenny’s finishing like he did on Wednesday that will help. He defies nature.

“At 38, he’s as fit as a fiddle and has still got a great attitude towards the game. He’s definitely a handful. I think everybody knows how good a finisher he is, his movement’s brilliant and he’s really good to play with.

“I know it’s daft – we’re still bottom of the league – but we’re quite confident at the minute.

“The dressing room was buoyant on Wednesday night, which it hasn’t been
for a while, and you can see boys
gradually getting that bit more confidence.”

Woods’ assured presence deep in midfield has been a vital component of Dundee’s turnaround in recent weeks.

Yet, incredibly, he was without a club for the first three months of the season after leaving Partick Thistle in the summer.

Having signed Woods for Ross County twice, Dundee gaffer McIntyre was more than happy to snap his former charge for a third time after arriving at Dens Park.

And it has paid off in style, allowing the Dark Blues’ previously shackled creative players the freedom to roam further up the park.

“The fact that the gaffer was here made signing an easy decision,” said Woods.

“I know what I’m getting – and I’ve been through this situation before, being at the bottom of the league when arriving at a club. It was the same at Ross County.

“I signed there in November – I seem to just sign for teams in November all the time now!

“I wouldn’t mind a team that was a bit further up one of these times! But this club should be further up the league.

“Glen Kamara’s got so much ability. Maybe under the previous manager he was just asked to sit. But you can see from our first goal on Wednesday, he chopped the life out of two guys, and if you get him further up the park he can pick a pass as well.

“Paul McGowan’s another one with great ability. Another one who can pick a pass and slide people in – and he’s brilliant with his back to play.

“I’ve played against him over the last two, three years and he just burns the life out of your thighs because he’s always chopping and changing direction.

“He’s brilliant at it, so it’ll suit him being one up. He got a goal from it against Hibs and I think he’ll score a few more – and get a few more assists too.”

If Woods can facilitate that – and by extension, further Dundee’s revival – he will be a happy man.

If a longer contract then presents itself, he will be even happier.

“We’ll see what the club say closer to the time,” he said. “But I’ve got to focus on my job and help the club get up the league a bit.

“I’m loving it so far. It’s a great club with great boys – and, as I’ve said, I know what I’m getting from the manager, too.

“Obviously, we’re not in a good position at the minute, but it feels as if we can get up the league.”