Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
High hopes for strike pairing of Nelson and Curran at Dens Park
DUNDEE boss Jim McIntyre has high hopes for what could be a blossoming strike partnership between in-form Andrew Nelson and work horse Craig Curran.
The t wo paired up impressively, particularly in the first half, against Kilmarnock in the Dark Blues’ last outing.
Nelson grabbed t wo goals that night – the first ably assisted by a good knockdown from Curran and the second helped by a run by the same man that distracted the Killie defence, giving Nelson the space to fire in his third goal in three league games.
Jim said: “Craig’s biggest part of his game is his work ethic and bringing others into play. He does a lot of unselfish work and he’s the type of player any manager would want in their team.
“I was delighted with both his and Andrew’s contributions against Kilmarnock and the partnership looked very good on the night.”
On Nelson, Jim admits he’s nowhere near the finished article but hopes he’ll take the chance to become a big part of the club’s future after signing a deal till 2021 last month.
“He has a lot to learn but he has the raw ingredients to be a very good player,” said Jim.
“There is still a lot of work required but the great thing about him is he’s desperate to learn – he takes in information.
“He’s a work in progress but he did fantastically well in the first half against Kilmarnock. There were a few things second half he could have done better.”
He added: “When you’ve been a young lad and been at a big club but been loaned out a couple of times then there is a need to feel wanted.
“We’ve given him the security of a two-and-a-halfyear deal because we have great belief he can do really well here and grow as a player.
“It’s up to him to take the chance but he’s a great kid who is desperate to learn.”