I’ll be in James’ Courts

As teenage players they shared a dressing-room and a dream of making it in the game.

Now, after their careers went on different paths, Tam Courts and James McPake will be in opposite dugouts as managers for a Dundee derby.

Back in the day at Livingston, one was a raw centre-back and the other a physical striker.

While McPake went on to have a playing career curtailed by injury, Courts took a different route down a coaching path.

Cour ts remembers McPake well from their days at Livi and a few years ago they were reunited at an SFA coaching course.

He’s full of respect for the job his opposite number is doing at Dens – but still hopes to leave him gutted by full-time in the derby.

United manager Courts

COURTS said: “James was a bit younger. He was a burly, athletic striker – who was quite shy and innocent!

“It’s interesting to see how our career paths have gone in different directions.

“And now we’re going to be in opposite dugouts – so it has been an interesting journey.

“We met on a Pro Licence study day, when Andre Villas Boas was presenting, and we spent a bit of time catching up.”

For 90 minutes they will be derby- day enemies at Tannadice today but Courts would have loved to share a few beers with McPake afterwards.

Courts said: “The thing that prevents it these days is Covid regulations.

“It’s difficult now for managers to communicate on game days.

“The key thing for me is to try to enjoy the experience – but you only do that if you win.

“We’ve had a solid start to the season and this is a really exciting challenge.”

career path