Coventry City loanee Ryan Howley has been backed to bounce back stronger after a baptism of fire and daunting challenge of facing Celtic at Parkhead.
The 19-year-old Nuneaton lad made his first start for Dundee against the Scottish Premier champions and current leaders, during which he gave away a controversial penalty to hand the hosts a 51st minute lead in a 3-0 defeat that also saw the teenager limp off with an ankle injury just after the hour. Dundee boss Tony Docherty is convinced the Sky Blues midfielder will respond to the disappointment in what was just the tenth senior match of his career.
Howley impressed in the middle of the park where, interestingly, he was deployed behind former City striker Amadou Bakayoko, but blotted his copybook when referee Grant Irvine pointed to the spot following a challenge on David Turnbull, after a VAR intervention. The decision was a controversial one that Docherty disputed, and the manager insists the mentality of the Wales Under-21 international will only use the disappointment to “spur him on”.
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“After the game he was disappointed at the penalty decision but I thought he had a good game,” Docherty told The Courier. “David Turnbull was cute and used his experience there and it’s something Ryan will learn from. That’s why he’s here, he’s here to learn about playing in big games.
“But the players were quick to make sure the blame didn’t lie on him, there’s nobody at the club placing culpability at his feet. I refute that was definitely a penalty kick anyway. But that feeling will fire him up.
“He’s that type of lad – a really focused and determined young man. I’ve been really impressed with him and, if anything, that decision will spur him on. He’s a top young player and he’s here to gain big-game experience. He carried out the game plan exactly. He’s an exciting prospect.”
Howley, who made his Dundee debut from the bench as a 69th-minute substitute in a 2-2 draw with St Johnstone before the international break, picked up an injury in the first half at Celtic Park when clearing a dangerous situation for his team.
“He damaged an ankle ligament and the type of boy he is, he played on when he maybe shouldn’t have,” said Docherty, who is hopeful Howley will be back in training this week ahead of Saturday’s trip to Hibernian.
