Dundee lost 1-0 to Raith Rovers on Wednesday at Stark's Park

By David McDaid

Dundee are set for a summer clear-out with up to 20 players under threat after the club failed to gain promotion to the Scottish Premier League.

Club chairman Bob Brannan said Gordon Chisholm will be supported in his overhaul and that his predecessor Jocky Scott failed to meet expectations.

"We have faith in Gordon Chisholm and Billy Dodds to build for the future," Brannan said.

"We will get rid of any players who have proven to be short of the mark."

Chisholm has criticised his players' attitudes after watching their First Division title challenge collapse.

And he reiterated that many of them have two games left to prove themselves worthy of a future at Dens Park.

"The way we slipped up disappoints me," he complained. "To be honest, it's as if the players are going through the motions in end-of-season mode.

I've got to start looking to the future and build a side I think is capable of winning the First Division Gordon Chisholm

"I'm looking for players to come out and say 'we want to stay at the club'."

Dundee's 1-0 defeat by Raith Rovers on Wednesday confirmed Inverness Caledonian Thistle's return to the Scottish Premier League as First Division champions.

That is despite the Dark Blues enjoying a nine-point lead over the Highland side at the top of the table at the beginning of March.

Chisholm took over the reigns at the club later that month following the sacking of Jocky Scott as their lead began to erode.

The former Queen of the South boss has been frustrated by what he has seen so far and says he wants to see a marked change in attitudes within his squad.

"I'm still very angry as we showed a lack of passion and commitment against Raith Rovers," said Chisholm.

"I just can't understand it. They've still got a point to prove to me that they deserve to be here.

"There's got to be a bit of hurt. They've got to show it does matter to them that they lost to Raith.

"And they've got to show me and the fans they have pride in wearing the shirt. That's just not happening."

Dundee, backed by Aberdeen businessman Calum Melville, are the second-highest spenders in Scotland this season behind Celtic.

However, several of the squad are out of contract in the summer and Chisholm warned that there have still been no decisions on who stays and who goes.

"I've got a lot of agents phoning me and players asking me what's happening about next season," said the manager.

"There's been no final decisions made on contracts yet.

"I'm desperate to tell players they've got new contracts. But they're not giving me that opportunity.

"I think it's important that for the last games of the season and show these attributes I'm looking for.

"Usually you find most players have that drive within.

"The least I can ask for is for the boys to show 110 per cent commitment."

Chisholm says he expects to meet with the club chairman in the next week to discuss the way forward for next term.

"I've got to have one eye on next season," he said.

"I've to meet the chairman - probably next week.

"We haven't spoken about money to spend as we've been concentrating on the last few games.

"But I've got to start looking to the future and build a side I think is capable of winning the First Division."

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