Seething James McPake hammers SPFL for ‘putting lives at risk’ as Dundee boss alleges shift in league priorities

The Dens manager didn't hold back on his feelings towards the league's governing body after being made to play with a farcically threadbare squad.

Terrified James McPake has branded SPFL chiefs “a disgrace” for making covid-hit Dundee play at Aberdeen and putting his players, staff and their families at risk.

The Dark Blues, who lost 2-1, had asked for the Pittodrie clash to be postponed after they had a positive covid case and then five others had to drop out of his squad because of self-isolation rules.

Along with a crippling injury list, that meant under-strengthened Dundee only had 11 outfield players. They had to travel north with two goalkeepers on the bench alongside 40-year-old assistant manager Dave Mackay, registered as a player for the afternoon.

McPake, however, is more worried about the health of his players with them now having to return to their families, not knowing if they are going to end up with the virus and the fear of passing this super-spreader on.

McPake stated “It was more about the way it was handled. It was just about it being black and white — you’ve got that (13 players) so go out and play.

“That’s putting people’s families at risk — and, let’s say it, their lives at risk or their loved ones at risk.

“My captain (Jordan McGhee) today has a three day old baby and now he’s got to go back to his house.

“Do I feel comfortable with that? No.

“My mum is 79 and I’ve been getting my two-year-old to do a lateral flow test every day this week so she could come for Christmas dinner.

“Do I feel comfortable with that? No.”

McPake has seen the league handle Covid issues well in the past but this time it was all about getting the Aberdeen game on at all costs.

He admitted: “I’ve seen them handle it great before. I was on the phone to them on a Friday night before we played Morton for longer than I was on the phone to them today.

“That was them being diligent and protecting people. That was at the start of it.

“Now it’s as if you need to play games. No matter what, you are playing that game.

“That was their call, their decision and what comes from that, fine. I have no issue saying what I’m saying because it’s factual.

“We asked to get the game off and they made us play it. We didn’t feel comfortable. They allowed us to get on buses.

“I’m the one leading the group and for me to take that group of players and staff on buses and into a hotel to sit down and eat knowing that after they go out and battle for 94 minutes they have to go back to their families.

“It doesn’t sit right with me.

“The club did the right thing with their risk assessment — but the SPFL have been a disgrace.”

McPake also reckons that the SPFL have put Aberdeen at risk and their opponents were sympathetic to their cause.

The manager, who praised his battling squad, said: “The way today was handled showed a lack of respect for everyone — including Aberdeen Football Club. The SPFL will probably deserve the headlines that go with this.

“I’m terrified. We will still test. We just need to pray everyone is healthy because today we were put in a very risky situation as were Aberdeen.

“When you have their director standing at the bottom of the tunnel saying that to you then you know they feel the same way.

“Today was a complete and utter lack of care towards a group of individuals who now have to go back to their families knowing that it’s in our camp.

“We will test every day but we know this is about in our camp and we just hope nobody pays the consequences.”