Hearts Championship rivals branded 'horrible' in blistering expletive-filled rant by key player

Dundee midfielder Paul McGowan has slammed his team-mates after the club’s 2-0 loss to Ayr United at the weekend.

The Dens Park side were expected to be Hearts’ closest challengers in the Championship side race but currently sit seventh on five points, eight behind league leaders Dunfermline Athletic following the Pars’ Friday night success over Robbie Neilson’s men.

McGowan didn’t hold back in a blistering attack, calling the performance at Somerset Park “s***e" and accusing team-mates of being “mutes”.

“Listen, there are a lot of passengers in this team,” he told the Dundee Telegraph. “I’m not just singling out other people, I include myself in that.

“It’s f*****g horrible, I wouldn’t even pay to watch that – that’s not what we are doing during the week. It’s like we get a pure nervousness in our game. Honest to God…"

Despite all that McGowan has been through at the club, he felt Saturday was his lowest point.

Dundee, who were beaten 6-2 by Hearts on the opening day, face Hibs this weekend in the Betfred Cup before welcoming Arbroath to Dens Park in the next league fixture.

“I’ve been at this club for seven years now and this is probably the lowest I have felt, even when we got relegated,” McGowan said.

Paul McGowan has slammed his team-mates after Dundee's loss at Ayr United. Picture: SNS

“In training and matches we are two totally different teams. We are kidding ourselves on that any one of us can look ourselves in the mirror and say we did well, we are kidding ourselves on big time.

“A few words got said after the game and that’s what we need. We need characters in the team. I’m getting older but it’s like you have to f*****g shake players now to get a reaction.

“People say I moan and shout but I wish we had more of it. I’m not saying that’s the difference but I wish we had players running about talking all the time but we are f*****g mutes on the pitch.

“It’s two or three players all the time, the same ones.

“If I’m having a bad game, I’m still helping somebody else out. There’s not enough of that. Not enough characters in the team. We are letting the club down.”