McPake has no fear of repeat thrashing

JAMES McPAKE insists Dundee should not be frightened to take on Celtic tomorrow despite an early-season thrashing at their hands.

The Taysiders were beaten 6-0 by Ange Postecoglou’s side in the second cinch Premiership game of the season in August.

Boss McPake, pleased that a SFA charge of misconduct in the game against Aberdeen last month was found not proved, said: “They are a good side. We faced them at Celtic Park earlier in the season and it was a real tough afternoon for us.

“To get anything from the game we need to be at our very best defensively as a team but we also need to have a game plan to attack as well.

“We can’t just sit in and hope because they have real good quality and can open teams up.

“Yes, when they can get at you they cause real problems, like we saw that day at Celtic Park but is a completely different game when they come here.”

McPake attended a principal hearing with the SFA on Thursday after receiving a red card during the match against the Dons for delaying the restart of the game after appearing to throw the ball back into his dugout when Aberdeen left-back Jack MacKenzie was looking to take a quick throw-in.

The outcome was not proved with no further action taken.

McPake, happy to be able to take his place in the dugout tomorrow, said: “It was a fair trial and that was the outcome I expected so I am pleased.

“I think it is important that you are there (in the dugout). Obviously when you do get red cards then you are running the risk that you will miss games but thankfully we got that decision sorted and we are OK.”