Dundee North End title success gave me same buzz as EPL promotion as 2 key influences named by Kevin McNaughton

There's an iconic picture of Kevin McNaughton from his Cardiff City days.

He’s being held aloft by a heaving sea of bodies. Fists clenched in celebration after the Bluebirds’ promotion to the Premier League had sparked jubilant scenes on the pitch. At that moment, he couldn’t have been happier. Fast forward 11 years to now.

A quick scroll down the Facebook page of Junior side Dundee North End will unearth more images of McNaughton celebrating. This time it has nothing to do with Premier League riches. There’s no prospect of visiting Old Trafford or Anfield. No, this is just a bunch of boys with beers in hand – enjoying a club’s first league title in almost three decades. But you know what? McNaughton’s facial expression – and his beaming smile – are exactly the same. Because in essence it’s still football, isn’t it? The joy of winning.

And after everything the former Scotland star has gone through, it’s no wonder he’s savouring every last second of it. McNaughton took himself out of the game altogether a few years ago. Struggling to come to terms with life after the end of a pro career, his mental health suffered badly. The pain of a dodgy hip made the simplest of tasks a daily grind.

At one point there were concerns for his safety when he’d gone missing after worrying online posts were spotted by loved ones. Now the 41-year-old takes a day at a time. As co-manager of Dundee North End with pal Lewis Toshney, he has found a happy place again.

After hip surgery he’s moving freely once more. And since securing a Junior title as a gaffer McNaughton now sees a future in coaching.

In an exclusive interview with MailSport , he said: “I feel great within my own head now. I still need to manage myself, it’s not