Charlie Adam
Playing for The Dee can be draining
Charlie Adam has revealed Dundee will have to tell him when he is done because he will never quit the club he loves of his own volition.
The former Scotland internationalist will celebrate his 36th birthday before 2021 is out.
Yet, while accepting central midfielders of his vintage are very much in the minority, Adam insists he intends to enjoy every minute he has left of running out for his hometown team.
“I will play as long as this club wants me,” he said, as he looked ahead to the Dark Blues’ Premiership clash with Hibs at Dens Park today.
“It will not be my decision. It will be the club’s decision.
“I love being here. It was a great decision for me at the time, and last season’s promotion obviously makes it that bit sweeter.
“When you get to 35, you probably appreciate it a bit more as it is going to come to an end in the next whatever.
“But the buzz for me is on a Saturday, running out there in front of a big crowd, which hopefully we’ll get on Sunday. That’s what you train all week for.
“We will see how it goes, but it will be the club’s decision on what they want to do, and where they want to go. I respect that.
“While I am here, I will try to be a leader and set an example, just I always have tried to do.
“When you come here, people look up to you to try to perform, especially if we are having a tough time, and I know it is up to me now to drag us out of that moment.
“I was fortunate enough when I was at Rangers that I had people there like Barry Ferguson and Maurice Ross, who was someone I knew really well because he was from Dundee.
“Neil Mccann and Ronald de Boer were also there, good senior pros who trained the way they wanted to play.
“That’s the example you have to set. You just try to take it on to the pitch, and lead by example if you can, and hope the others can come with you.
“That’s what I’m trying to do this season.” Adam admits there is a downside to the local connection as he finds playing for Dundee can drain him emotionally.
“It does happen. You sort of get connected with the fans during the game a little bit, and your adrenaline goes with that,” he continued.
“Even last Saturday, we were trying to get a goal, and I had a shot on the edge of the box and you get involved with the fans.
“The kids are in the stand, and it is tough not to be part of it. I have stood on the terraces singing, so it is hard not to get involved.
“Winning against Motherwell last Saturday meant loads to everybody, but I know I had a lot of friends here, who were walking away from this stadium happy.
“That is the important bit.
“I have a lot of people who are coming to the Hibs game on Sunday who haven’t been at Dens Park for 18 months.
“That’s a long time, and they are looking forward to coming back because we are playing good football.
“We probably could have nicked the game we drew against St Mirren, we were well and truly beaten by Celtic, but against Motherwell we deserved our win.
“So we are going in against Hibs with a lot of optimism.”
If the one-time Liverpool star is unsure how long he has left as a player, he is clear on what comes next.
“I want to coach or manage if I can. We will see what opportunities arrive,” said Adam.
“I am fully focused on playing and trying to get three points and getting us up the league.
“But I have a vision of being a manager one day. I enjoy being a pundit as well, but if the chance comes along to be a manager, I would certainly be interested.
“I still enjoy playing as much as I did when I was younger. Playing in front of fans and entertaining people has been great.
“It’s a shame because all those years ago, you never think it will come to an end.
“But as each season goes by, you get a bit older – but I still love it.
“I’m looking forward to the different challenges this season will bring.
“This is the best the Premiership has been in a long time – with all the big-city clubs back in the top flight at the same time – and it is great to be a part of it.”