DARA WANTS A PADDY WHACK

first it was hard being left out of the squad, but I’m still young and I was always patient, and when this chance came with Walsall, I had to take it.

“You always learn more from minutes on a pitch than hours on a bench. The manager here made about 500 EFL appearances across various levels, and he is full of tips and tricks about what he used in his game to enjoy such a long career.”

Adegboyega joined Norwich’s development squad last summer after emerging at League of Ireland side Drogheda United, where he was converted from midfielder to a centre-back only a couple of years ago.

One of the Drogs’ coaching staff, Tiarnan Mulvenna, insisted he would be more influential bringing the ball out of defence than with his back to goal up front, or on the half-turn in a congested midfield.

“I kind of disagreed with it at first because I like to attack and I want to score, but I went along with it and safe to say I’ve never looked back,” Adegboyega said.

Dundee v Rangers Tomorrow, noon

DARA COSTELLOE admits it would be the best St Patrick’s Day present ever for him if Dundee can beat Rangers at Dens tomorrow.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international joined the Dark Blues on loan from Burnley at the start of January after spending the first half of the season farmed out to St Johnstone.

Costelloe (above) was recalled to the Dundee starting line-up on Wednesday and helped Tony Docherty’s side beat Aberdeen to move back into the top six.

Now, he is hoping Irish eyes will be smiling on St Patrick’s Day and Dundee can make it two wins in a row by defeating the Glasgow giants.

Costelloe said: “A win against them would be some present for me.

Beating Rangers on St Patrick’s Day, I couldn’t think of anything better! It would be brilliant, I’d be straight on it afterwards!

“My dad Dave is coming over for the game.

Everyone else is staying at home for St Paddy’s Day and I don’t blame them to be fair.”

However, Costelloe knows just how tough it will be to realise his dream.

He played against Rangers for St Johnstone while Dundee have already lost twice to the Ibrox outfit this season, conceding eight goals in the process.

He added: “We’re good enough to get something out of it. We’re a good team and we just need to stick together.

“One thing I’ve learned is to just not over-respect them. Everyone is the same.”