Dundee boss Jim McIntyre has said he's still in the dark as to whether he can appoint Billy Dodds as his assistant, despite him being "the best man for the job".

Dodds is McIntyre's preferred choice after the pair worked together at Ross County and Queen of the South.

But some Dark Blues supporters have made it known the 49-year-old won't be welcome after rejecting a deal to take the club out of administration in 2011.

He said: "Whether it happens or not, I don't know. I can't give you an answer on that.

"There's not been a decision taken on it. I've said all I have had to say on it.

"Would I want Billy Dodds working beside me? Absolutely.

"Why? Because he is the best man for the job, we work well together, we have a four-year history of success at Queen of the South and Ross County.

"But I'm also aware that it's a tricky subject. But, like everything, there's two sides to the story."

McIntyre watched his new charges go down 4-0 at Livingston in his first match in time after shipping four goals from set-pieces.

Midfielder Lewis Spence labelled Dundee's showing "embarrassing", with McIntyre calling for a quickfire response when table-toppers Hearts visit Dens Park on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old acknowledged the size of the task his side face, though, against Craig Levein "streetwise" Jam Tarts.

He added: "They have a lot of good players, they have a real identity, their image as a team represents their manager.

"They are streetwise, with a very strong spine to the team. We know we have our work cut out.

"But we have an opportunity to move off the bottom of the league, that's the sole aim.

"We need to make sure we defend well, we'll be put under pressure with balls into the box but it is up to us to put in a performance.

"It's about more than ability, it's about being organised and doing the jobs you're assigned to do."