Mcpake ‘excited’ by Dee’s new loan star

DUNDEE: Dark Blues boss insists winger Crankshaw will hit ground running at Dens

Dundee’s new loan winger Ollie Crankshaw is ready to hit the ground running at Dunfermline tonight.

Manager James Mcpake confirmed he will go straight into his squad for the East End Park clash.

Crankshaw is highly rated at Wigan and has just signed a long-term deal.

Mcpake, who has been tracking him since the summer, said: “He’s pacey, good with both feet and has a goal or two in him as well.

“He’s played some non-league football so he’s not your usual academy kid. That’s something I like about him.

“We had somebody at Wigan’s under-23 game against Liverpool the other week and he was very good.

“We’ve been monitoring him since the summer and we’re excited to get him in. “He’ll be available straight away.” Mcpake was relieved to bring an end to all the Graham Dorrans speculation after the midfielder agreed a new 18-month contract.

“When you’ve got a player like that you want to keep him,” he said.

“We put an offer to him and I’m delighted he’s accepted it because he’s a big part of what we want to do. I believe there’s still a lot more to come from him.”

Dundee’s new loan winger Ollie Crankshaw is ready to hit the ground running at Dunfermline tonight.

Manager James Mcpake confirmed that Crankshaw will go straight into the squad for the East End Park clash.

Crankshaw is highly rated at Wigan and has just signed a long-term deal.

Mcpake, who has been tracking him since the summer, said: “He’s pacey, good with both feet and has a goal or two in him as well.

“He’s played some non-league football so he’s not your usual academy kid. That’s something I like about him.

“We had somebody at Wigan’s under23 game against Liverpool the other week and he was very good. He’ll be available straight away.”

Mcpake was relieved to bring an end to all the Graham Dorrans speculation after the midfielder agreed a new 18-month contract.

“When you’ve got a player like that you want to keep him,” he said. “We put an offer to him and I’m delighted he’s accepted it because he’s a big part of what we want to do.

“I believe there’s still a lot more to come from him. The last few weeks have probably affected me more than him. I was having to think about who we would bring in if he left. He’s had speculation throughout his career so he’s used to it.”

Jamie Ness is sidelined for tonight’s match.