One of the main reasons Neil McCann is taking Dundee to Portugal is team bonding.
With five new signings made already this summer, Neil felt it was important his squad had a period together where the players could get to know each other.
On that score he might just have spent some unnecessary cash but that’s the good news.
Because he’s already been delighted by the way his new men have fitted in.
“The spirit is good, it really is. You’ve got a number of French-speaking players there but they have integrated so well already,” he said.
“I can see them mixing well and there is a real good spirit in the camp, there really is.”
He’s confident that process will continue in the Algarve over the next week as the Dark Blues put the finishing touches to preparations for the new season.
“You do go away because it gives you a large amount of time where you are just together and they just have to get used to each other’s habits,” he added.
“That’s important. We didn’t do it last year, though we did have team bonding sessions but this gives us an opportunity for the boys to mix.”
In the party that flew out today was defender Genseric Kusunga.
The Angolan international was not involved in Monday’s friendly win over Cowdenbeath after picking up a knock.
He is, though, expected to be OK to train over the next few days and should be involved in Saturday’s training game against Mansfield Town that will be played over three periods of half-an-hour.
“He had a wee incident in training, so we didn’t want to risk him at Cowdenbeath but he’ll be OK,” added Neil.
Meanwhile, Dens midfielder James Vincent is delighted to re-join Dunfermline on loan for the coming season.
He said: “I came from a place where I was not enjoying my football.
“That is difficult at times but here everything was a perfect fit.
“To enjoy your football, play well and win games is all you can ask for as a footballer.
“It will bring you on to another level as a player and as a person, so I was happy to do the deal.”
Centre-back Kerr Waddell has also headed out on loan, joining Championship side Greenock Morton until January to gain first-team experience.
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