Adam’s been ‘nothing short of remarkable’ in recent weeks: McPake

CHARLIE Adam’s recent performances have been “nothing short of remarkable” says Dundee manager James McPake after weeks of injury worries and the pain of family bereavement.

The Dark Blues boss has spoken of how difficult it was for him when his father passed away when he was a player at Dens Park.

Tuesday was Adam’s mother Ellie’s funeral after she sadly passed away after a battle with cancer shortly before Christmas.

“Our thoughts are with Charlie and his family,” said McPake.

“What that man has done in the last three weeks is nothing short of remarkable.

“I lost my dad when I played for Dundee and I realise how hard that is.

“Charlie lost his mum but he is still coming and playing games at that level.

“He’s hardly trained because of the injury and you wonder mentally where he is at. I know where I was at when I lost my dad.

“For him to churn out performance after performance consistently the way he has I genuinely can’t speak more highly of him as a person, never mind a footballer.

“He’s been different class for our football club on and off the pitch.

“I’m genuinely just glad to have the chance to work with him.”

“He wants to play in every single game”

The former Rangers and Liverpool man was a major doubt for the big weekend clash with Hearts and is still recovering from a problem with his thigh ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Cup match with Bonnyrigg Rose.

However, McPake says he won’t be surprised to have Adam fit and available this weekend.

With the Dark Blues big favourites to see off their Lowland League opponent at Dens Park and a crucial league match at Raith Rovers the following Tuesday, Saturday’s match could be the ideal time to rest Adam.

McPake, though, insists that sort of decision isn’t so straightforward when it is Charlie Adam and Dundee being talked out.

Asked whether he’ll rest Adam this week, McPake added: “Potentially but it will be dictated by the injury.

“He has missed a fair bit of training for different reasons so it might be important that he does play.

“He has had a tough day this week so we’ll see.

“He is experienced enough to know how he is.

“The problem I have is that he loves this club so much he wants to play in every single game.

“I’ve never seen anything like it.”

There were a couple of injury issues to emerge after Saturday’s 3-1 win over Hearts with rightback Christie Elliott and defender-cum-midfielder Jordan McGhee picking up knocks.

Those two may still be fit for the weekend, however.

“Christie Elliott needed an injection in his ankle,” said McPake.

“At a push he can play Saturday if needed.

“McGhee’s ankle is getting better. It’s credit to him he played through that on Saturday but there was no way he was coming off.”

Meanwhile, striker Alex Jakubiak successfully underwent surgery to sort a thigh tendon problem on Tuesday. He is expected to be out for two to three months.

Charlie Adam wants to play in every single game.