Dark Blues following Liverpool formula

DUNDEE: McPake adopting pre-season programme prepared by Elite chief O’Boyle

It is a formula for success that has worked for Liverpool managers Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp.

Now, Dundee boss James McPake is hoping for similar results from a specially tailored pre-season programme.

The 35-year-old has been sticking to the plan as he puts his players through their paces following their return from the summer break last week.

The sessions have all been meticulously prepared by Andy O’Boyle, head of elite performance at the English Premier League.

McPake knows him well from their time at Coventry together, with the fitness guru also having previously worked for six years at Anfield.

The manager said: “Andy O’Boyle has mapped it (pre-season) out for us.

“I did his pre-seasons as a player and he has since gone to Liverpool and has done their first team’s pre-season under Brendan Rodgers and with J ur gen K lo pp.

“Andy is now at the Premier League and while he obviously doesn’t work for this football club, he is helping me.

“We have a staff here who will carry it out but I would be absolutely mad not to be guided by Andy O’Boyle when I have that relationship.”

McPake added: “That’s why I keep saying he is as important to me as Jimmy Nic ho ll( assistant boss) and Dave Mac kay (first-team coach).

“He did the 18s pre-season last year for me and it is adapted to first-team level now. So it is tough but the players know that. We are going to push them as hard as we can – off the cliff, so to speak. “But they will get through it.” Meanwhile, departed Dundee ace Jesse Curran could be set to join forces with fellow Australian Scott McDonald at Western United.

Curran is a target for the ambitious A-League Aussie outfit, who have been alerted to his availability after leaving Dens Park recently. The 22-year-old full-back, who spent three seasons on Tayside, joined the Dark Blues back in 2015 from Central Coast Mariners.

It is understood Western Victoriabased outfit Western are interested in trying to unite Curran with former Celtic striker McDonald.

McDonald, 36, has moved back Down Under having left Partick Thistle, and they are bidding to strengthen their squad in time for October’s big kick-off.

Curran is also interesting English League Two outfits Bradford City and Carlisle United.