DUNFERMLINE have announced the appointment of Dave Mackay as their new assistant manager.

Yesterday evening, after the print edition of today's Press went to print, it was revealed that the 41-year-old had agreed to become James McPake's right-hand man at East End.

The pair worked together at Dundee, with whom Mackay was latterly, and he becomes the new Pars boss' second addition to his backroom team, following last week's arrival of goalkeeping coach, Alan Main.

Speaking to Press Sport on Tuesday, McPake had said that he was "working away" on adding to his staff, and that there were "a couple" that he was working on.

It then became clear that Mackay, who captained St Johnstone to the Scottish Cup in 2014, was in line to make the move from Dens Park, which was subsequently confirmed.

The club said: "Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are delighted to welcome Dave Mackay to East End Park as James McPake names his assistant.

"Dave, most recently assistant manager at Dundee, played in excess of 500 senior games at clubs including Dundee, Oxford, Livingston and St Johnstone, where he lifted the Scottish Cup as captain.

"Coaching and management roles followed at St Johnstone, Stirling Albion and latterly Dundee, working along side James McPake as assistant manager during their successful spell leading to promotion to the Premier League. "

Ahead of Mackay's arrival, McPake told Press Sport: "I’m working away.

“I had a strong backroom team at Dundee and I’m looking to build a strong backroom team at Dunfermline as well. Staff are really important and are always there with you.

“There are a couple that we’re working on at the minute. It might happen soon, it might not, but as I’ve said before, there’s been a couple that have been in jobs that’s maybe unrealistic for us to get, where they’re at.

“Alan Main’s great. He’s one I played with at Livingston ages ago now. He was in at Rangers, he was an experienced goalkeeper in his own right, is an experienced coach in his own right, and he’s a great character as well.

“We’re delighted to get Alan in working with the goalkeepers at the minute, and I’ll continue to work on the rest of the backroom staff.”

In a statement, Dundee added: "We can confirm that Dave Mackay has left the club by mutual consent.

"Dave joined the club as a first-team coach in 2019 and was made assistant manager a year later.

"We would like to thank Dave for his efforts while with the club and wish him all the best for the future."

Meanwhile, following their first week of pre-season training, Dunfermline’s match preparations begin this week - having played a bounce game on Tuesday - starting with a trip to Championship Cove Rangers on Saturday, and a visit to League Two Forfar Athletic on Tuesday.

Loons boss Gary Irvine, who was a team-mate of McPake’s at Dundee, had suggested in an interview last week that his club were exploring the possibility of link with the Pars that could see some players head to Station Park on loan.

McPake replied: “I know Gary well; I know he coaches very well and Forfar are going to be competitive in their league as well this season.

“We’re playing them next Tuesday and I’m sure Gary will have a look. He’s already asked about a couple of players.

“First and foremost, it’s got to benefit Dunfermline and what we see for our young players. Knowing and having sent players to Gary before, with the coaching and the way they’re treated at Forfar, that’s a club I wouldn’t be against sending players to.

“We’ll take our time and assess all our options but that will open up. The loan market will help us bring players in but it will also, hopefully, give us the chance to get some of the young players we spoke about out and get some first-team football.

“Gary’s one of a few that’s been on the phone already but, having said that, I know I’ve sent a few to Gary, and the way he treats the players is really good.

“There would be no qualms with any player going to Forfar because I know they’ll be getting the right coaching but they’ll also still be training with us at Dunfermline, which is important as well.”

The friendlies will give McPake a chance to further assess his side, and he added: “It’s different from a normal week, where you would maybe taper your training at the end of the week to be fresh for the Saturday but that’s not going to happen.

“We’re training hard and we’re going into the friendlies, not at risk to the players, but players are going in that bit tired. Come the 9th of July (the Premier Sports Cup opener at East Fife), that will hopefully stand them in good stead, and they’ll have a fit and, hopefully, healthy season.”