My switch to United was a firm favourite Luke: City pals sold me on move
LUKE BOLTON revealed he had backing from both halves of the Old Firm before he committed to Dundee United.
The wide man became the first major signing of Micky Mellon era when he agreed a season-long loan from Manchester City.
He’s the latest in a line of students from the Etihad to play in the Premiership, including Jason Denayer, Olivier Ntcham, Greg Leigh, Jeremie Frimpong, Patrick Roberts and Brandon Barker.
The 20-year-old played 28 games for Luton last season in the Championship but is relishing his new challenge on Tayside where he has been pushed forward from his previous full-back role.
Bolton said: “Obviously I’d watched Scottish football for years, including all the Old Firm games and cup matches on Sky. But in terms of the actual ins and outs of the league I didn’t know too much about it.
“A few months ago I spoke to Jeremie at Celtic and he’s been enjoying it up here. I also spoke to Brandon, who was talking about loans and he said he really enjoyed it at Hibs.
“My agent has a few players up in Scotland, including Martin Boyle. They also spoke highly of the league and said I could come and do well.
“The lads are great and I’m really enjoying working with the manager and being in a new league.
“There’s a lot of exposure to the Premiership which is good for my personal profile but obviously I spoke to the manager about his plans as well.
“I couldn’t turn it down. He spoke well of the club and the city so it was easy.
“Man City also hold Scotland in high regard, as they should. They are very good with me and keep in contact a lot.
“They spoke to me after the game at the weekend against Motherwell and they are always looking to come and visit.
“The standard of football is very similar to the Championship but I I’d say the SPFL is 100mph.
“It’s end to end and although the Championship is also known for that, it’s even more so here.
“Every opponent we face is fit and will run constantly, so it’s about adapting to that and I think I’m doing so.
“We play some good football at United and mix it up at times but obviously in every league you come up against teams that want to go long and some teams that want to play the ball.
“It’s very similar to the Championship in that sense.”