McPake sees open game from Hopkin’s Morton

DUNDEE: Manager used to spy on rival boss at Livingston on McCann’s orders

Dundee manager James McPake watched from the stand as David Hopkin worked his magic in the Championship.

Now he will join him at trackside to try to stop him sampling the kind of success he enjoyed at Livingston with his new team Morton.

McPake, who takes his Dark Blues to Cappielow on Saturday, was working for then Dens gaffer Neil McCann as a spy in the stand as Livi took the division by surprise by winning promotion via the play-offs in season 2017-18.

Hopkin was given most of the credit for that achievement but then left the West Lothian club to take charge at Bradford City.

He then headed back across the border to Greenock, where he is busy trying to emulate his work at Livi.

McPake said: “When he was at Livingston, I saw a lot of David’s teams.

“At that time I was watching games for Neil and they had a couple of players he was interested in. So I saw quite a bit of them.

“They were really good and he did well to get them up. He deserves a lot of credit for that. He will be looking to do that again with Morton.

“There could be similarities because he has gone in there but people maybe don’t think he has a chance of promotion. But he won it at Livi and that will be his aim again. They are decent. Dave Mackay was at the game when they played Ayr United and we got a report back on that.

“Since then they have really done pretty well.

“It will be a tough game.” McPake is expecting Hopkin to set his side up to attack, which will suit Dundee.

He added: “At home they will be difficult but they will have to come out and have a go at us, which will be good.

“Teams come here and make it really hard for us so it will be a different challenge if they have a go. Cappielow is great as it’s a nice, old-fashioned, tight ground.

“It’s also a day out for the fans. I’m sure we will have a few down there.

“We will have a good backing and Morton are well supported. Hopefully, we can send our supporters home happy.”

Picture: SNS. James McPake was full of praise for David Hopkin for getting Livingston promoted in 2017-18.