Jim also proved himself to be no mean player
Jim Mclean will be best remembered as a manager – but he did have a 14- year playing career.
He turned professional after joining Hamilton Accies from Larkhall Thistle in 1956.
His father, and brother, Willie, had previously turned out for the Lanarkshire outfit.
A senior debut came in a 1-1 draw with Dumbarton. The newcomer was praised for his performance at outside- right, although he later settled into playing as an inside-forward.
Football for Mclean at that time was combined with life as a joiner, and after more than 100 games for Accies, he was transferred to Clyde in 1961.
Mclean’s time on the field had a recurring theme – he seemed to always arrive at clubs when their good times had just faded away.
It could be his journey as a player influenced the way he managed.
Instead of looking to recruit journeymen to provide a boost, Mclean preferred to rear his own players.
He arrived at Clyde during a time when they couldn’t quite capture earlier glories.
They were in the process of being relegated from the top flight when he was brought in, although the Second Division title was won as the Bully Wee bounced straight back.
The closest he came to winning a cup medal was being involved a 2-0 Glasgow Cup Final defeat by Celtic.
His relationship with the city of Dundee began when he moved to Dens Park in 1965, and he was a regular for three seasons in the dark blue.
Season 1966-67 saw him finish as the club’s top league scorer with 13 goals, and he was one of Dundee’s top performer when they took part in the 1967 League Cup Final.
A second- half goal gave his side a glimmer of hope when he brought them to within a goal of Celtic with the score standing at 3- 2 for the Hoops after 77 minutes.
Despite Mclean’s efforts, Dundee were defeated 5-3.
Kilmarnock recruited Jim in August, 1968 and his first outing saw him play alongside younger brother, Tommy, in a 3-3 League Cup tie against Hearts.
The curtain came down on his playing career in 1970.
He had made a positive impression at Dundee and returned there as a coach.
Just 18 months later, Mclean took a few steps down Tannadice Street to become boss of Dundee United.
The rest, as they say, is history.