McPake stays tight-lipped on talk of Watt

2021-12-22 - BY GEORGE CRAN

DUNDEE boss James McPake has refused to be drawn on any move for Motherwell striker Tony Watt.

The former Celtic man is the top scorer in the Premiership this season with nine goals and is out of contract at the end of the season.

On the BBC’s Off The Ball on Saturday, presenter and ’Well fan Tam Cowan suggested the Dark Blues were interested in the 27-year-old.

That’s after Watt turned down a new contract at Fir Park.

Dens boss McPake was asked about a potential swoop for the striker but would not say more than: “I like Tony, he’s a good player.

“He’s the top scorer in the league so I think there will be a lot of teams after Tony Watt, he’s a good player.”

McPake added: “There are millions of players out there I’d like to bring to this football club. We have targets but we are working within a budget.

“There is a myth out there that we are paying loads and loads of money to the likes of Charlie Adam and Leigh Griffiths.

“That’s not the case.

“We work within a budget and will continue to do that.

“If we can get players of that quality within our budget then great. If not, we move on to the next target.”

McPake said the Dark Blues will be busy with transfer business in January.

The Dens Park gaffer admits the winter window will be “vital” to the club’s chances of staying in the Premiership come the end of the season.

And he says there has been plenty of work ongoing in the background ahead of the window opening on January 1.

“This transfer window is going to be vital for the football club, we know that,” McPake said.

“One thing I can say is the club have always backed the manager in January and they’ll do that again.

“We’ve been working on this window for a wee while now.

“We have been in contact with a few players regarding pre-contracts and a few clubs regarding loans and whatnot.

“It will be a busy January I think.

“If we get them over the line, they will certainly make an impact.”

Meanwhile, striker Jason Cummings played for the club’s development side on Monday night.

That was after the former Scotland and Rangers man was excluded from Saturday’s squad to face Hearts after being sent home from training on Friday.

On Tuesday, he then rejoined first-team training.

However, it is unclear if he will be considered for the Boxing Day trip to Aberdeen.

McPake added: “He played on Monday night at Airdrie against Albion Rovers with the Development side and trained this morning.

“Any disciplinary action will be dealt with internally.”