Football: MAESTRO KEVIN'S THE REAL DEAL.

Byline: BRIAN WELSH at Dens Park 

DUNDEE 1

PARTICK 0

MIDFIELD maestro Kevin McDonald grabbed an injury-time winner to celebrate his new deal at Dundee then admitted he doesn't even know the terms of his latest contract.

Dens chief executive Dave McKinnon revealed after the priceless win that the teen star - who is being pursued by Celtic and a host of English Premier League clubs - had signed a contract extension to stay in Tayside until 2009.

The 19-year-old proved his worth with a precious goal at the death to finally see off 10-man Thistle who had Willie Kinniburgh dismissed late in the first half.

Both McDonald and Jani Sturm had goals disallowed for offside as Alex Rae's men applied incessant pressure that finally paid off 80 seconds into injury time.

Match-winner McDonald said: "I felt we were on top of the game when they had 11 men then when they went down to 10 it was just wave after wave of attack.

"We completely controlled the game and we have a great chance of promotion.

"I'm enjoying playing first-team football here so signing the new deal was the right decision.

"I'm only 19 and I've signed until 2009, I think. I don't really know as I didn't even read the thing.

"I could have moved now and made a fortune but I don't even know if I'd be playing if I moved."

Dundee dominated even before Thistle were reduced to 10 men and Sturm came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock after 17 minutes when he glanced Gavin Swankie's corner just past the post.

McDonald had the ball in the net for the first time just before the half-hour when he turned in Bob Davidson's shot but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Thistle then had a good spell with top-scorer Liam Buchanan testing Craig Samson with an angled drive before seeing a close-range effort deflected over.

But any prospects of an away win were dashed six minutes from the break when on-loan Motherwell defender Kinniburgh saw red for a petulant kick at Sturm.

From the free-kick Eddie Malone's deflected 30-yarder was tipped over at full stretch by Craig Hinchcliffe.

Dundee piled on the pressure after the break with Swankie shaving the bar direct from a corner then firing a fizzing drive just wide from 20 yards.

With eight minutes to go the Jags had another let-off when Malone hit the bar with a 30-yard pile-driver only for Sturm to nod home the rebound from an offside position.

Thistle had a late penalty appeal waved away after Buchanan's close-range header looked to have been blocked by sub Freddie Daquin's arm.

Then deep into stoppage time added on McDonald collected the ball at the corner of the box, turned inside onto his left foot and cracked a powerful drive past the despairing Hinchcliffe.

Frustrated Firhill boss Ian McCall said: "If they carry that type of luck all season I think they'll win the title."

Dens gaffer Rae was delighted with the news McDonald had signed his new deal with five of his team-mates set to follow suit.

He said: "A lot of players have gone to big clubs recently and gone missing which isn't the best so it's important we nurse Kevin.

"His maturity and footballing nous is second to none."

MoM: Hinchcliffe (Thistle)

CAPTION(S):

Dens drama: Kevin McDonald tussles with Thistle's Gary Harkins while Willie Kinniburgh is sent off (right)