Dee kid Mulligan happy to team up with former boss Hartley at Cove

JOSH Mulligan remembers listening to Paul Hartley’s advice as a youth player at Dundee and now he hopes to heed it with Cove Rangers.

The 17-year-old is on loan at Cove from Dens Park for the rest of the season and made his first start for the Granite City side in Saturday’s win against Cowdenbeath.

Balmoral Stadium boss Hartley was in charge of Dee from 2014 to 2017 and Mulligan remembers the former Scotland midfielder trying to help the youth players at Dens make the step up towards senior football.

And the winger is pleased Hartley has taken him to Cove and given him a chance to develop.

Mulligan said: “It’s a good team to play in with the way they play.

“There are some top players in the squad and it’s similar to Dundee that we try to play good football.

“I was a bit younger when the manager was at Dundee but he was still around the younger ones and I remember him giving us advice on how to get better and things like that.

“That was good advice and it’s good to know he’s been watching and was keen to take me to Cove. I’m here now and, hopefully, I can help get some more wins for Cove.

“It’s very different to playing in youth games but I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it soon. It’s a lot more physical and things like that but I’m happy to get the chance.”

Mulligan added: “The manager at Dundee said this would be good for me so it’s down to me now to kick on and help Cove get some good wins i n the upcoming weeks.”

Victory over Cowdenbeath moved Cove five points clear at the top of League Two.

He said: “To be five points clear at this stage is good but we’re focused on trying to get more wins and pushing on in the league.”

Josh Mulligan is on loan at Cove until the summer.