Mcpake blames Neilson for ‘stoking the fire’
Dundee boss James Mcpake claimed his opposite number helped to create an atmosphere that led to Leigh Griffiths being abused by Hearts supporters.
Robbie Neilson had spoken about remembering historical tension between the teams prior to yesterday’s game.
He was referring to Dundee’s part in the Jambos’ relegation from the Premiership more than a year ago.
It was a messy affair when an email from Dens’ chief John Nelms went missing before he voted to end the 2019-20 season and send Hearts down.
Mcpake believes Neilson referring to that did nothing to stop supporters shouting vile abuse at on-loan front man Griffiths.
He said: “I don’t think it helps when we are talking about things like that.
“Opposition managers are coming out and saying it’s going to be a white-hot atmosphere.
“We already know there’s going to be 20,000 fans in here. Leigh is already a target. We know that.
“He will go to the fact there was a voting scandal, but we have played them three times since and he was the manager of Dundee United at the time of the vote.
“I don’t think there was a need to say what he did.
“Maybe he should concentrate on his own team.
“Yes, he’s got to try to get his own fans up for it, but you are at Tynecastle with the chance to go top and I don’t think certain comments help the situation with Leigh. “It’s stoking the fire. “I didn’t like it but I can only concentrate on Dundee and the wellbeing of our players.
“Leigh has been great since he came in the door.
“He has loads of experience round about him and I think he still needs that. He has Dave Mackay who knows him, myself and Charlie Adam is great.
“But I certainly don’t think certain things have helped the situation.
“I want Leigh Griffiths the footballer to be enjoying playing football which he is at Dundee.”
Mcpake revealed that Jason Cummings – who earned Dundee a point by heading an equaliser – believed he could get a winner at Tynecastle.
He added: “It probably sums him up, when you bring him over to give him a wee bit of instruction, he just says “I’m going to get the winner”.
“He says he will score every time he plays.
“He even talked Cammy Kerr into having a long throw.
“We have been doing a long throw for three years and Cammy has never put one in.”