McPake finds it’s Yankee Doodle Dundee
The USA will welcome the world to its shores for the 2026 World Cup.
But Dundee are already over there – and they’re on the hunt for the States’ top young talent.
Dark Blues youth coach James McPake spent last week in Austin, coaching the youngsters of the grandly-named Dundee Juniors of Central Texas.
The Texan kids’ set-up is linked to the Dee through American owner Tim Keyes and managing director John Nelms.
And former Dens captain McPake, who has selected two US teenagers to travel to Scotland during preseason, believes the relationship will prove profitable.
“There is a lot of talent out here,” he said. “The kids who are playing the game in the US are very committed to it, and they all want to get better.
“Their attitude is fantastic. They’re keen to learn and they listen to everything – when they can understand me!
“Coming from Scotland, you tend to think the level will be much lower than what we’re used to. But that’s not the case.
“Young players here, certainly from what I’ve seen in Texas, have loads of technical ability.
“I think this is going to be a huge market for European teams in years to come. You’re starting to see it already.
“So for Dundee to have this tie- in is potentially really valuable because it gets us in the door early and gives us a whole different, untapped market to recruit young players from.”
McPake called time on his playing career in January after a gruelling, two-year fitness battle.
Dundee, who supported him throughout, immediately offered him a role coaching their Under-18s. “I’m honestly loving it,” said McPake. “Don’t get me wrong, coaching still came with surprises, because I didn’t realise just how many hours are required to get everything prepared.
“But I’m really enjoying it and I’m looking forward to putting my own stamp on the Under-18s next season.”
McPake still hasn’t fully recovered from the horrendous knee injury that ended his career in January 2016.
The 33-year-old hopes an operation on Friday will be the last he requires. “The knee is OK, but it does still bother me,” he said. “When I was trying to get back fit, it got to the point where I could manage light training with the 18s or the 20s, but the knee would balloon up the next day.
“My kids were the biggest factor in my decision to stop playing. Being able to play with them is still really important to me.
“I’m hoping the op is just going to be a tidy up, but there’s a chance that more might need done.
“The priority is to get the knee back to a place where it’s comfortable enough for me to live with day-to-day.”