Even though Dundee went out of the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup without them, James McPake believes going away with the Scotland under-19 squad has been the best thing for young duo Finlay Robertson and Josh McPake.
The pair have now returned to training with the Dark Blues, buoyed by their call-ups to play for their country.
“Finlay and Josh will have benefited from the Scotland camp,” said McPake.
“Josh couldn’t have played anyway but with Finlay, do we let him go away with the national team or do we keep him here for that cup game?
“We weighed it up and I thought it was really important he went with Scotland.
“He’d never been selected before.
“It’s a reward for how well he’s done.
“Last year I saw him when he didn’t get picked for the schoolboy team which I was bewildered about.
“He was really disappointed. It was a blow for him. He eventually got in and got his cap.
“Hopefully he can stay in the set-up.
“He’s back now and has looked really good in training.”
Meanwhile, McPake’s faith in his last signing Sean Mackie hasn’t been diminished by the left-back’s part in Elgin City’s weekend winner.
He said: “It’s tough. You come in and want to hit the ground running.
“He was unfortunate. It was a poor bit of play from him and as a team as a whole.
“I know the quality Sean has and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
