Congratulations to Lee Ashcroft who has been named in PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year 2021. The Team of the Year – as voted for by the Championship players themselves also included Dundee midfielder Charlie Adam.
Lee, who has had a remarkable first season at Dens since joining from Dunfermline Athletic last summer, was also rewarded with the club’s Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year awards only a few weeks ago.
Having been a pivotal figure in the back line for James McPake’s men, Ashcroft has also chipped in with six goals of his own and helping his side to a second-place finish in the league.
A defeat on Saturday at home to Raith Rovers was enough for the dark blues to advance to the Scottish Premiership Playoff final where they now face Ashcroft’s former club Kilmarnock for a place back in the top tier of Scottish Football.
Lee who was part of the Kilmarnock team who beat Falkirk in the 2016 playoffs to stay up spoke about his time at Kilmarnock ahead of the crucial tie but is fully focused on getting Dundee back into the Premiership.
“It’s a long time ago that I left Kilmarnock. I loved my time at the club, but it never worked out. I was glad to finish on a high and keep the club in the division.
“I hadn’t played many games that season but I got in for the play-offs and managed to do well and keep the club up. I look back and it was a great experience to go through.
“I am looking to do the opposite now and get Dundee back where they belong.
“I’m a Dundee player now and I want to get Dundee back in the Premiership, that’s what I was brought in here for. Hopefully, I can be part of that and do my job on Monday.
“It would be amazing in my first year at the club. I have obviously been in the Championship longer than I wanted to but that is down to myself as well.
“I have been in Kilmarnock’s position before when I was with them and it feels as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders. I know it is a game of football, but it means so much to so many people. It depends on the person as well. I was still youngish, and it was tough.
“But I am feeling different this time. It feels much better. It is a good pressure; we are looking to achieve something good.
“Hopefully, we can get there in the end and I’m sure the feeling after it will be great.”
January 10, 2023 | Videos
Grant Savoury | Cinch Championship Player of the Month for December
January 10, 2023 | Videos
Grant Savoury | Cinch Championship Player of the Month for December
January 10, 2023 | Videos
Grant Savoury | Cinch Championship Player of the Month for December
January 10, 2023 | Videos
Grant Savoury | Cinch Championship Player of the Month for December
January 10, 2023 | Videos
Grant Savoury | Cinch Championship Player of the Month for December