The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Laszlo keen to add ‘powerful’ striker
Tangerines manager worked with Slovakian frontman before
Dundee United manager Csaba Laszlo is set to make Slovakian international striker Pavol Safranko his 13th signing of the summer.
The 23-year-old has been training with the Tangerines and is expected to move from Danish Superliga club Aalborg on a one-year loan deal this week.
Safranko has two caps for his country and played eight times for the under-21s.
Significantly, Laszlo signed him for previous club Dunajska Streda in Slovakia so there is already a bond between boss and player.
Standing at six foot one, Safranko is the tall frontman Laszlo has been looking for and it was notable that the Tangerines boss talked up the player’s aerial ability.
Laszlo confirmed: “He is still a player at Aalborg so it is in the hands of the clubs but he has trained with us today.
“He is a Slovakian international and he played for the under-21s as well.
“I know him from before.
“I signed him for my former club so I know him well.
“He was very good for me and he got his move to Aalborg on the back of it.
“Hopefully the two clubs will be able to make an agreement.
“He is strong in the air and powerful. He is one of the best players in the air.
“He’s not Messi or Maradona but he is a very hard worker and as a box player is excellent.
“I think he is perfect for Scottish football.”
Dundee United manager Csaba Laszlo has apologised to the club’s supporters for failing to get the league season off to a winning start.
Laszlo is under immense pressure following Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Dunfermline at Tannadice in the Championship curtain-raiser.
He takes his side down to Dumfries for what looks like a must-win fixture against Queen of the South this weekend and Laszlo has felt the need to say sorry to the fans following that opening day loss to the Pars.
He said: “I have to apologise to the fans for the performance and the result on Saturday.
“The second half was nowhere near good enough – it wasn’t acceptable. The players wanted me to apologise and I want to take the responsibility.
“Am I under pressure? Yes, because when you manage Dundee United you have to get back to the Premiership.
“The club hasn’t been on a nice journey. It is a tough road and it’s going to be hard.
“It is normal to be under pressure in a job like this but if you didn’t want it or don’t think you can handle it then go and manage someone else,” added the under-pressure Hungarian.
“There is always plenty of noise and of course everyone knows better than you but the most important thing is to stay focused.
“Can I convince the supporters I am the man to lead the club? That isn’t a question for me – all I can do is focus on my job.
“This is not an easy job but there is no point listening to criticism. I just have to focus on my work.
“You can’t win every single game but you don’t lose them like we did against Dunfermline. We have to improve and I am still confident we will be where we want to at the end of the season.”
Twitter: @C_IRoache
The club hasn’t been on a nice journey. It is a tough road and it’s going to be hard. CSABA LASZLO