Dundee boss John Brown focuses on First Division future

Dundee manager John Brown has brushed aside talk of a Scottish Premier League reprieve to focus on building a squad for the First Division next season.

The SPL could relegate Hearts and not bottom club Dundee over the insolvency affecting Hearts' parent company, UBIG.

"I'll let the directors deal with that. All I am going to do is try to get these players signed up," said Brown.

"That's [Division One] where we are. Until someone tells me otherwise, I have got to prepare for that."

And the Dens boss, speaking after a 1-0 defeat to deserving winners Hibernian at Easter Road, added: "If I can retain the lads that I am wanting to retain then I am sure in Division One we will put up a good fight.

Brown praised the performance of goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, who moved to Dundee in March after leaving Preston at the start of the year.

He said: "Steve Simonsen had a fantastic day. I think he has put himself in the shop window and that's what he was looking to do.

"I would love to keep him. If it's SFL we won't be able to offer him anything."

The Dens manager was disappointed to lose in Leith but accepted his team were second best.

"We never created enough. We worked hard enough but in the final third we never really held the ball up and never showed a great deal," he said.

"We didn't have enough quality to go and hurt them.

"Hibs are playing for Cup final places and they were just sharper on the day.

"Our boys put in a great shift to try to catch St Mirren. It never happened.

"I have said to the players, 'get the heads up'. They gave me total commitment. The fans sang all afternoon. I think they are proud of the team for their efforts."