Dundee assistant manager Dave Mackay has stated that Celtic loanee Jonathan Afolabi will be an important player for the Dens Park club in the second-half of the season.
The 20-year-old has had to deal with injury issues this season. However, he came off the bench to score the vital third goal from the penalty spot in Dundee’s recent 3-1 win over Hearts. That was the player’s second goal in nine appearances for Dundee.
Will feature for club
With Dundee set to have such a busy schedule in the second-half of the season, the squad will be utilised as often as it can, according to Mackay. That may mean more playing time for Afolabi.
“He’s just important as everybody else in the squad, everybody will have a part to play. In the league campaign there’s going to be loads of games coming up, it’s a shortened season. So, everybody will have a part to play” he said.
Mackay praised Afolabi for coming against Dundee and managing to score in what was a pressure situation for the player. Dundee are also well-aware of how much talent the player has. They see that in training, according to Mackay.
“So many good attributes”
“It was great to see Jonathan coming on at the weekend and having the bottle and the composure to step up and take a penalty when it was required. We see every day in training how good a player he can be, and he’s got so many good attributes. He’ll have a big part to play for us between now and the end of the season” he concluded.
Afolabi’s next appearance for Dundee could come on Saturday, when they take on Bonnyrigg Rose in the Scottish Cup.