Robbie Neilson has missed out on the Championship manager of the year award.
Dundee ’s James McPake scooped the gong earlier today after guiding the Dens Park club to promotion to the Premiership.
That’s despite finishing 12 points behind Hearts and only claiming second place in the league on the final day of the season.
McPake has initiated something of a turnaround on Tayside after Dundee got off to the worst possible start - losing 6-2 at Tynecastle in their opening game of the season.
But a strong second half of the campaign propelled them into the play-off spots and they claimed the runners up spot on the final night by beating Inverness as the Jambos hammered Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park.
That was to prove costly to the Fife club, who were knocked out 3-1 on aggregate by Dundee in the semi-finals after seeing off local rivals Dunfermline in the previous round.
McPake’s men took a 2-1 lead to Rugby park for the crunch second leg of the play-off final and finished the job by achieving the same result in Ayrshire to confirm their promotion alongside Hearts.
Given the budget and squad at Neilson ’s disposal, there’s a valid argument that he the returning boss achieved his remit and no more.
However, he also reached the 2020 Scottish Cup final, beating rivals Hibs in the semi and taking Celtic all the way to penalties at Hampden.
The Jambos were also top scorers in the division and boasted the best defence after winning the most games.
The Dundee boss said after winning the award: “It’s a collective award for the coaching staff in particular and all the players who have been fantastic in getting us back to the Premiership.”
