Finns are looking up for Ilmari
Winger is eyeing flying start after ending his Ingolstadt hell with Tannadice switch
ILMARI NISKANEN is ready to turn the heat up at Dundee United after being frozen out at former club Ingolstadt.
The Finland international has finally got his work permit, three weeks on from the club announcing he was on his way to Tannadice.
The 23-year-old winger is in line to make his debut today, having made the move from Germany.
He said: “The last few months with my old club, Ingolstadt, were difficult for me. As a footballer I want to play and I need to play.
“That wasn’t going to happen in Ingolstadt, so I had to find some new options. Dundee United came into the picture and it was an easy decision to come here.
“It is a great club with a great tradition. The club really wanted me and made me feel very good and welcome.”
United eyed him up when he was at KuPS before moving to Bundesliga 2.
Niskanen added: “It was a shame it didn’t happen last year but there were different reasons for that.
“It wasn’t possible at that point but it is now and I am really excited.
“So far, everything I’ve seen and heard has been brilliant.”
Niskanen has promised to add excitement and attacking threat to Tam Courts’ side and wants to deliver more big moments like their earlyseason win over Rangers. He said: “I’m a powerful, fast, dynamic winger.
“I know if I put my full potential out, I can be a good player here. I want to help the team achieve the best possible position in the table.
“I watched the Rangers game on TV and even though it wasn’t full capacity then, I could feel the fans cheering and it was brilliant.
“I can just imagine that when it is a full stadium, it’s going to be amazing. I can’t wait to celebrate my goals in front of these supporters.”
His new team-mate Charlie Mulgrew insists the teams outside the Old Firm are much of a muchness and if United put a streak together, their season could take off.
The defender said: “You always want to go on runs, no matter what part of the season it is.
“It’s about approaching each game with the best preparation you can, being ready physically and tactically.
“We take each game as it comes and this one is no different to Hearts, Rangers or Aberdeen. The league is very good this year with the Edinburgh and Dundee derbies back. It’s competitive, it always has been.
“There is not much between the teams outside the Old Firm. We want to be competitive within that group and we’re up for the challenge.”
The club wanted me and made me feel welcome ILMARI NISKANEN CAN’T WAIT TO SHINE