Niall McGinn admits James McPake’s dismissal came as ‘a shock’, with the Dundee forward revealing he only found out the news on TV.
McGinn, 34, joined the Dark Blues during the January transfer window and concedes that he was relishing the chance to build a bond with McPake.
Indeed, the Dee are enjoying a run of just one defeat in six matches, with the former Aberdeen and Celtic star notching his first goal for the club in Monday evening’s 3-0 triumph at Peterhead.
And while he has learned to expect the unexpected in football, Northern Ireland hero McGinn was left stunned when McPake’s exit was announced.
Mark McGhee was swiftly named as the new manager at Dens Park, albeit an outstanding six-match touchline ban will see him absent from the dugout for several weeks.
McGhee will be assisted by Simon Rusk and McPake’s erstwhile No.2, Dave Mackay.
“Being honest, I was surprised,” McGinn told PLZ Soccer. “I had been training, then I was up in Aberdeen for the night.
“I found out the news on Sky Sports News — which was a big shock to me, coming off the back of two good results.
“[But] I’ve been around long enough to know how football works and how quickly things can change.
“I’m disappointed, yes. I’ve just come to the club and I was just starting to build a relationship with James [McPake]. That’s all been taken away.
“But I know football — I know the game — and here we are with a new manager. We just have to get on with things.”
McGhee’s first match in charge comes on Sunday, with Dundee facing the unenviable task of tackling Celtic at Parkhead.
