MY REGRET THAT MUM NEVER GOT TO SEE ME CAPTAIN DUNDEE
LOST LOVED ONES ARE NEVER FAR FROM CHARLIE ADAM’S MIND WHEN HE PLAYS FOR HIS BELOVED DARK BLUES
IT is every young football fan’s dream to one day play for and captain the club they love. That dream has become a reality for Charlie Adam who wears the Dundee skipper’s armband with pride. However, every time the Dundonian leads the Dark Blues out onto the pitch, it is an occasion laced with poignancy for him.
His thoughts inevitably turn to his dad, Charlie senior, who tragically passed away in 2012 and his mother Eleanor who lost her brave battle with cancer in December, last year.
Signing for Dundee in September had allowed Adam to be closer to his beloved mum in the City of Discovery as she fought the illness but he still harbours a big regret she didn’t see her son skippering the Dark Blues before her death.
The former Scotland, Rangers and Liverpool midfielder will captain Dundee once more at Dens today against Hibs and he admits having fans back in the stands is a bitter-sweet experience for him.
‘It is always a thought when you run out in front
You sort of get connected with the fans... your adrenaline goes with that
of the crowd because I know my dad would have been here,’ said Adam.
‘It is something you learn to live with. Obviously last year was a bit different because we had no fans but this season it is such a shame that people who were close to you can’t be here.
‘That was the plan before my mum died that I would try to get her to a game. Unfortunately I never managed to do it.
‘But my little boy is beginning to understand football, my daughter is a bit older so she knows. They want to come on the pitch after the game and it’s great for them.
‘These are the moments as you come towards the end of your career that you have to relish.’
Adam certainly wears his heart on his sleeve where Dundee are concerned and he admitted the club means so much to him, it can leave him emotionally drained after games. ‘It does,’ he revealed.
‘You sort of get connected with the fans during the game and your adrenaline goes with that.
‘Even on Saturday against Motherwell, we were trying to get a goal, I had a shot on the edge of the box and you get involved. The kids are in the stands and it is tough not to be part of it. I have stood on the terraces at Dens singing, so it is hard not to.
‘Winning on Saturday meant loads to everybody but I know I have a lot of friends here who were walking away from this stadium happy and that’s the important bit.’
At the age of 35, Adam is fully aware that the day when he finally has to hang up his boots is looming large on the horizon.
Before that though, he is determined to savour every moment playing in dark blue to ensure that Dundee cement their place in the Premiership after winning promotion last season.
‘I have a lot of people who are coming to the game on Sunday who haven’t been here for 18 months,’ said Adam. ‘It has been a long time and they are looking forward to coming back because we are playing good football.
‘When you get to the age of 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 — and hopefully there will be another one on Sunday — that’s what you train all week for.
‘That’s the buzz. It gets you going and keeps you going, the opportunity to play here.
‘This is obviously a club I supported as a kid and it has given me some good memories so far — hopefully there are plenty more to come. For me, keeping this club in the Premiership would be a big achievement.’
Adam does not know when he will eventually have to call time on his playing career, however, he is certain that ultimately he would like to move into management.
‘I’ll play as long as this club wants me,’ he added. ‘It will not be my decision, it will be the club’s decision, but I love being here. Last season’s promotion obviously makes it that bit sweeter.
‘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.
‘I’m looking forward to the different challenges this season will bring.’
As captain and one of the senior pros at Dens, Adam is well aware of his responsibilities to lead by
example. That was a lesson he took on board when he started as a youngster at Ibrox.
‘I have always tried to be a leader, whether as a senior pro or a young lad,’ said Adam.
‘I have always tried to set an example if I can.
‘When you come here, people look up to you to try and perform.
‘Especially if we are having a tough time, it is up to me now to drag us out of that moment. Hopefully I can do that this season.
‘I was fortunate enough when I was at Rangers that I had people there like Barry Ferguson and Maurice Ross. 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.’
Adam will look to lead from the front again against Hibs.
He rates Jack Ross’s team highly even though he was critical of some of their players following their exit to St Johnstone in the semi-final of the Betfred Cup last season.
‘Hibs have players in their squad that can hurt you on their day like Kevin Nisbet and Martin Boyle,’ he added.
‘We have to be wary of them. Jack has done well since he has been in there and it will be a tough game.
‘I might have annoyed some of their players with some of the things I said but it’s my opinion and that’s what football is all about.’