The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
No beef with Adam, says Mcpake
James Mcpake says he was annoyed by constant questions about the absence of Dundee captain Charlie Adam earlier this season.
The Dark Blues skipper had to be patient on his return from Covid-19 by taking a place on the bench as the team’s form took off.
At Dunfermline, despite the club searching for a winner, Adam was an unused sub and rumours began of a falling-out between the pair.
Adam has spoken of the rumour, and the Dens boss has now addressed it at a press conference.
Adam admits he did seek reasons from Mcpake at the time.
Speaking to the Athletic, he said: “Dundee is a small city and I heard someone ask if we had a falling-out but we had a conversation like a manager and player should.
“I went to see him when I wasn’t playing to have an explanation and I got one. That’s how it should be.
“There is a trust and honesty from the manager and I have a great relationship with him. We both want what’s best for Dundee.”
After a Man of the Match display by Adam in the crucial first leg of their play-off semi-final, Mcpake says the decision to take things slowly with his key man is paying off.
Returning to the starting XI in recent weeks, the 26-times capped Scotland international has led his side to wins over Raith and Queen of the South to secure second place.
He outdid himself with two superb assists for Jordan Mcghee in Kirkcaldy before setting Max Anderson away to lay on a third goal for Osman Sow.
It’s a performance Mcpake said makes him proud to be Adam’s manager.
“Questions have been asked about why he wasn’t in the team and it annoyed me,” the Dundee boss said.
“You’ve got to look at the time he’s had since he came back up the road.
“You could see his celebration when the third goal went in (on Wednesday) – this club means the world to him.
“Unfortunately he lost a parent and then a really bad spell with Covid.
“There were questions at Inverness about why he wasn’t on from the start in that game. He was working up to a level and I think we saw that on Wednesday.
“I think it was the right decision. Charlie thought it was the right decision.
“We were on a good run, then, too. For everything he gives you and everything he’s got, he’s a human being who takes knocks. And he’s had a couple of horrendous knocks this year.
“To perform like that on Wednesday, I’m delighted for him.
“I’m proud of him and proud of all my players.”
Pride is something Mcpake is striving for, not from himself but from the legions of Dundee supporters unable to cheer on their side in person.
That may change for a lucky 500 next week if the Dark Blues can see out tomorrow’s second leg and book a play-off final place.
With coronavirus restrictions easing on Monday, the timing is perfect for a final big game at Dens Park next Thursday – if they don’t throw away a three-goal lead.
“I can imagine what it would have been like behind that goal (with Dundee fans at Stark’s Park). I can imagine what it would be like on Saturday with them there,” Mcpake said.
“If the fans were there on Saturday I think I could comprehensively say the tie is over because they would keep the ball out the net themselves.
“They have been missed but I get the other side as well.
“We’ve all lost close ones. Everyone has had that feeling of knowing someone ill with it or having it.
“I’m gutted the fans will be missing but hopefully normality comes and by the time the fans are back in we’re a Premiership club.
“I hope the fans sat at home watching on Wednesday were proud of their team. That’s my job, to make them proud.
“I was proud to play for this club and I want to make the fans proud of the team myself and my coaching staff can put on the park.”
Whether he will have Liam Fontaine available to take to the pitch this weekend remains a question.
Or rather, will Mcpake risk the veteran defender and the hamstring that has troubled him for a few weeks now with three goals in hand?
It is a decision only a manager can make, however Mcpake is delighted with the options he has at his disposal, with two of his subs combining on Wednesday to score the third goal.
On Fontaine limping off, the Dark Blues boss said: “Liam wanted to stay on but we had Max Anderson there (on the bench).
“There’s a trust there because what a ball from Anderson to set up Osman Sow and what an option Osman is to come off the bench.
“If he’s fit, I wouldn’t fancy playing him – he caused them all sorts of problems.
“Jordan Mcghee slotted back in seamlessly at the back. That’s the beauty of the squad.
“It was risk or reward with Fonts, would we gain much for keeping him on for the last 15 minutes?
“He’ll be fine if we decide to go for him on Saturday. And we have Jordan Marshall raring to go as well.
“Most important, we need to make sure we finish the job on Saturday.”