Finlay Robertson is using Graham Dorrans and Jamie Ness as midfield mentors, Dundee boss James McPake has revealed.
The Dens Park youngster, who only turned 17 this week, isn’t shy about tapping into the wealth of experience the two seniors pros have, according to his manager.
And, even though he isn’t starting games for the first team at the moment, Robertson’s career development will be all the better because of his training ground lessons.
McPake said: “It is great for me because I can sit back and watch them.
“Finlay goes to them. You don’t see young players doing that much. Normally you will see the senior player going to the younger one and maybe giving them the advice.
“That is great for me as Graham Dorrans knows a lot more about where Finlay should be on the pitch than me.
“That’s not me talking myself down. It’s just a fact that he has played more than 150 times in the Premier League in England.”
McPake revealed that the attitude of Robertson, a regular in the starting XI earlier in the campaign, reminds him of a young Paul Hanlon at Easter Road.
He explained: “Finlay has been disappointed that he has not been playing but he is certainly one who will play a big part in our season.
“I pulled him in and told him I was leaving him out and he just said he would never have believed he would have made 13 appearances by October.
“I’m thinking: ‘Have a go back at me and tell me you should be playing!’
“But he is just so humble and is a great young kid who wants to learn.
“Paul Hanlon at Hibs was similar and would always come and ask for advice.
“He went on to have a fantastic career and hopefully Finlay can do that as well.”
