Nicholl hopes McPake can lead club back to Premiership

“I enjoyed my time at Dundee and the staff up there were great,” added Nicholl.

“But it is a difficult time for everybody in all walks of life. There are lots of people losing their jobs so it is what it is.”

McPake’s early tenure as boss was a rollercoaster one but by the end of the last campaign Dundee had put together a sixgame unbeaten run.

Nicholl now hopes the Dark Blues can pick up where they left off in the new season and go on to win promotion despite the fact Hearts look likely to be in the Championship alongside them.

He added: “Hopefully James can continue the good work he was doing. It took a wee while because we couldn’t get a good run of games going and we couldn’t get things settled.

“But we got it sorted out and it all started coming good at the end of the season. We were unbeaten in six games with a lot of clean sheets.

“Things were going great so Dundee can be confident for next year to go and do something.

“It will be difficult with Hearts coming down and they will be favourites but in a way that could help Dundee.

“The Dundee supporters have high expectations of the players, the club and the manager but it is difficult to go straight back up.

“Everyone is just desperate to get back up to the Premiership and everyone can get panicky and nervous.

“That’s what you have to live with at a big club like Dundee but James has done well in his first season, he gets on well with the players and I think he will be a success.

“Hopefully the club will get back up there.”

Jimmy Nicholl has been axed as assistant manager.