Dundee boss James McPake welcomed another young manager to the Championship but hopes Mark Kerr will have to wait for his first win.
The Dark Blues travel down to Somerset Park on Friday night to face an Ayr United side that will be boosted by Kerr’s arrival in their dugout.
The former Dundee and Dundee United midfielder has become a gaffer at the age of just 37, while McPake is younger than him by a couple of years.
Both men may be rookie bosses but McPake thinks getting new blood into the profession is a positive thing.
He is backing Kerr to savour success with the Honest Men but only after his own team has visited on Friday.
McPake said: “It’s good to see Mark get his chance at Ayr United.
“You always like to see young managers given their opportunity.
“He has a lot of experience from his playing career and is similar to me when I got the job here at Dundee because I think he’s been doing some coaching.
“He has been at Ayr for a while now so he knows the club and he knows the players there.
“Mark is from the same area of the country as me so I know him from over the years.
“It will be interesting to see whether he keeps playing or not – we will find out on Friday.
“He has taken over Ayr at a good time because they have been doing very well and are having a good season.
“I like Kerrso so hopefully he does well but not until after our game.”
Midfielder Kerr has replaced the now Partick boss Ian McCall on an 18-month
deal.
Kerr, who signed for Ayr in 2018 following his departure from Falkirk, has made over 600 appearances in a 20-year playing career and now takes on his first permanent managerial role.
After signing a deal until May 2021, Kerr said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity.
“This is a fantastic club and right now we have a top group of players and I can’t wait to lead them.
“This is a great challenge for me at a club I now know very well and I am looking forward to getting down to the hard work straight away.
“This is an extremely proud moment for me, I have loved playing in front of our fans and hope to take the club forward with them.”
Ayr currently sit second on goal difference in the Championship table, level on 18 points with leaders United and six clear of the Dens men.
