The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dark Blues keeper is giving orange footwear the boot
Elliot Parish insists he has not moved to Dens just to make up the numbers
New Dundee goalie Elliot Parish has revealed that one of the first things he did after arriving at Dens was to start looking for a new pair of boots.
The big English stopper was quickly advised that wearing orange footwear was not the best idea – especially with a derby against United looming large this weekend.
Boots aside, Parish is relishing his foray into Scottish football and hoping he can be as big a success as his good pal, Aberdeen’s Joe Lewis.
The 27-year-old said: “I had a phone call from Bobby (Geddes) saying he would like to get me up.
“There were a couple of things bubbling down south but nothing concrete and I’ve always wanted to come up north, and been advised to come up. “So, I just jumped at the opportunity. “Luckily the guys were impressed, I guess, and we’ve got a deal done.
“My agent has advised me to come up here for years. Ever since I was 21 or 22, he’s advised me to give Scottish football a go.
“And a number of players who I played with down south have said the same thing. In particular Joe Lewis, who is obviously doing very well at Aberdeen.
“I played with him at Blackpool and Cardiff, and spent some good times with him. Seeing him doing so well has been great.
“I’ve watched Joe and his career up here. I’ve been interested to see how he got on, because he’s a very good goalkeeper.
“Having played with David Marshall at Cardiff, he always said the league was strong and that he loved it up here.
“Numerous people have said ‘get yourself up here, it’s good exposure, you’ll play in big games’ and we’ve got one on Sunday, haven’t we? “I can’t wait for that. “I guess the fans are going to have to excuse my boots, I’ve been told that already.
“They’re white and orange, so I will be getting some new ones – pretty quickly!
“I’ll take the blisters, that’ll be better than the grief I might get.”
Parish, who began his career at Aston Villa, admits he has been signed as a back-up option to first-choice Dundee goalie Scott Bain.