Former coach admits it’s ‘worrying times’ at Dens

wait and see but it is a big concern for me.”

He added: “It’ll be so disappointing if they have to cut back again. It wouldn’t be the first time, obviously, and it does have an effect on the club. I think there’s been an effect felt for 15 years since the academy was last cut right back.

“Having worked with some of the kids, I know there is a lot of exciting talent there and I wouldn’t want to see them miss out on developing further, that’s the biggest disappointment.

“And look, it’s nobody’s fault, you can’t point the finger at anybody because nobody saw this coming.

“Hopefully something will happen to help out. I’m always hopeful.”

Now assistant manager at Brechin City while working with his Stevie Campbell Football Academy, the 52-year-old says financial cutbacks could prove an opportunity for some young players at first-team level, however.

“I go back to the time when Dundee got relegated and I left in 2005 – Paul Dixon, Scott Robertson, Kevin McDonald all benefitted from the club being in a bad financial situation.

“The club couldn’t bring in players so they had to blood youngsters and look where that got them – all Scotland internationals and had great careers.

“That’s maybe a silver lining for some of the boys who are in that area between youth football and the first team.

“I’ve worked with Lyall Cameron and he’s in that bracket at Dundee, a really talented player with a good attitude, and it might just be a platform for guys like him to shine.

“But we’ll also take players like that at Brechin! There’s no better place to learn your trade than out on loan and we’ll be quite happy to help in that regard.

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