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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Liam Bryce

Alex Jakubiak makes Dundee future declaration after title 'rollercoaster'

Alex Jakubiak dedicated the Championship title to Dundee fans who queued up for tickets to last week’s dramatic triumph over Queen’s Park.

And the forward says he wants to be around at Den’s Park next season to reunite with them in the Premiership. He is one of 20 players out of contract heading into the summer and admitted there’s been no discussion yet over his future.

But as he savoured a league win delivered in the most thrilling fashion, the 25-year-old is keen for more.

“I hope so [that I can stay],” Jakubiak said. “I’ve not had discussions with anyone. I’d be happy to stay, we will see what happens.

“We did it for the fans. For all those that queued up on Sunday night to get tickets and for the ones who didn’t get tickets. It’s all for them and I hope they enjoyed it as much as we did.

“It was frustrating last week not to get it done against Cove. But we knew whatever was going to happen we’d still want to come into this game and win. In that sense nothing changed.

“There’s been games where we created numerous chances and not put them away. To score five goals was great.

“I’ve never played in a game like that. It was a total rollercoaster. 

“It would have been fun for those watching but not for us on the pitch .. especially when we were conceding. To concede three goals from set plays was frustrating because of the amount of work we do on them.

“It was just a mental game. But in the end our fitness and quality shone through. I thought we deserved the win.”

The final whistle at Ochilview was followed by a jubilant pitch invasion from the travelling Dundee fans, there to witness their team return to the top-flight at the first time of asking.

Jakubiak deliberately left his phone in the dressing room when the celebrations commenced, preferring to soak it all in himself, and not through a camera.

“I have never experienced that before,” he said. “It’s just about enjoying the moment and taking it all in.

“I have seen teams winning and players are all on their phones at the end, filming. But you don’t enjoy it as much when you do that.

“So I left my phone in there. I messaged my missus and my mum as soon as I got in then left the phone and joined the celebrations. I checked after and neither message had delivered! I just wanted to take it all in.

“I have no kit as you can see! I gave away three pairs of boots, shin pads, shorts, my top, everything!

“But I won’t regret that. Someone asked in the crowd and I know they will be happy with it.”

Jakubiak hit Dundee’s opener on the night after just four minutes, a strike which took him to his pre-season target of 15 goals. It was a moment to add a sense of personal achievement to the occasion for the striker.

“I was due a goal,” he said.“I had a target at the start of the season. It was 15 - I can tell you guys that now!

“But then I got injured so I set it at 10 and that goal was my tenth of the season. So for me that was a personal achievement. 

“To give us the lead in the game so early was important. It was just frustrating to concede the goals we did after that.

“But everyone stuck in and kept battling like we have all season. We didn’t fold under pressure and it paid in the end.”

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