Dundee boss James McPake insists the club’s talented youngsters will get their chance to impress in the coming season.
The Dark Blues kicked off their pre-season schedule with a 1-0 friendly win over Peterhead behind closed doors at Dens Park on Tuesday.
With a few niggling injuries to senior players, the Dens boss drafted in a number of youth players to fill up his squad against the Blue Toon.
Everyone got a run-out and McPake oversaw his side end the contest with eight players who have come through the academy, including Cammy Kerr.
The youngest was 15-year-old left-back Ewan Murray and the average age of the final XI that night was just under 20-years-old with centre-back Lee Ashcroft the oldest at 27.
And McPake was delighted to see the youngsters see out the game and says a number of them “will add” to his squad in the coming Championship campaign.
He said: “It was great to finish the game with eight players who had come through the academy at the one time.
“That’s something we are big on.
“I thought they were good, they expressed themselves and they had real energy and enthusiasm.
“One of them was just 15, Ewan Murray, and we had to get permission from his mum and the SFA to allow him to play.
“It’s fantastic for him and Cammy Blacklock, both still at school, but you could see they can do well.
“We have to hold Ewan back because he’s too young for competitive football but the others will all add to what we are trying to do.
“Lyall Cameron was outstanding when he came on, some of his touches were great. You can see he’s worked really hard.
“There is a real mix with experienced players and kids who will be guided through and, hopefully, that bodes well for the future of the football club.”
