James McPake believes the serious injury sustained by Craig Wighton could ultimately prove to be the making of the Dundee front man.
The Scotland Under-21 star sustained what was initially feared to be a season-ending cruciate problem during a bounce game back in July.
McPake, who finally hung up his boots in January after a brave two-year battle to recover from a knee injury of his own, spent hours alongside Wighton in the gym as he worked on his recovery.
He admits he was incredibly impressed by the youngster’s dedication and work ethic with the lifelong Dundee fan now back playing with the club’s Under-20s.
However, McPake, who has taken on a coaching role at Dens since retiring from playing, has urged caution and insists Wighton needs to be given time to fully recover.
McPake said: “I have obviously had a lot of injuries and done a lot of rehab but he is definitely up there with the work he put in . . . you just have to look at him now.
“Craig was unbelievable. In a strange way, I think the injury is going to be the making of him.
“That might sound weird but he has pushed his body to a place I don’t think he knew it could go.
“Josh Meekings was in the gym at the same time and quite often it was Wighty who was pulling us through.
“We are starting to see Craig out on the pitch again but we have to be patient with him.
“It was a bad injury and he has had a long time out so we have to give him the time to find his feet again.
“He has had a lot of pressure since he was a young boy so I think everybody has to give him the chance to allow him to develop into what he is going to be coming back from this injury.
“Certainly now, he knows how far he can go – he knows what he can put his body through.
“I am not quite sure he had done that before which is why the injury will really benefit him in the long run.”
Knowing Wighton as he does, McPake admitted that if everything goes to plan, he will be determined to make his mark before the end of the season.
McPake added: “That will be his aim – to get back into the first team.
“He has been excellent for the 20s the games he’s played. We give him the minutes and I am sure at some point the manager will call him in when he feels it is right.
“But when you have been out for as long as Craig has, it is not easy and he will have wee bumps along the way.
“There will be times when he doesn’t feel right, his legs are a bit heavy or whatever so we do need to be patient and give him the time.
“But I am sure he will have a part to play in the first team.”
