The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Hoops linked with Kerr
Celtic have been linked with a transfer window swoop for highly rated Dundee United teenager Kerr Smith. The Glasgow side are ‘monitoring’ Smith’s situation, alongside a host of English Premier League clubs.
Southampton, Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Leicester are all credited with an interest.
According to a report in the Scottish Sun, United could cash in on their prized prospect this month.
They previously resisted offers from Southampton and Aston Villa.
Smith made his Dundee United debut just two months after turning 16 – in a 4-1 defeat to Rangers in February.
The defender has been watched by clubs both sides of the border ever since.
Smith has played twice for United this term in their Premier Sports Cup campaign but has been left out of their Scottish Premiership matchday squads.
He was recently tipped to go all the way to the top of the game by United defender Charlie Mulgrew.
The former Celtic star also urged him to continue his early development at Tannadice.
“It would be easy for him to have his mind wandering elsewhere,” Mulgrew told Courier Sport. “My advice to him would be to stay and learn his trade.”
United boss Thomas Courts insisted last week that he wasn’t expecting to lose any players during the transfer window.
They have already banked £1 million from the sale of Lawrence Shankland and are keen to keep their star players.
But Courts also admitted that things “could change quickly”.
It remains to be seen if United and Smith will resist a deadline-busting transfer window offer.
Liam Smith insists Dundee United are in safe hands with Trevor Carson. The Tangerines are awaiting the results of a scan after Tannadice goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist suffered a mystery injury during training on Saturday.
It is feared that the Swiss stopper could be set for a lengthy lay-off, albeit boss Thomas Courts said it was “too early” to suggest he had suffered knee ligament damage, amid social media speculation at the weekend.
Nevertheless, Carson ensured a “seamless” transition between the sticks against St Johnstone, cutting a cool, composed presence and making a super late stop from Glenn Middleton to ensure United claimed a 1-0 win.
And while Smith hopes Siegrist will be back in contention sooner rather than later, he is adamant the Northern Ireland internationalist is up to the job.
“It was seamless,” said Smith.
“Benji (Siegrist) was a massive player for us, but he’s picked up an unfortunate injury and Trevor has come in.
“He’s an international goalkeeper and you could see his quality at the end with a big save.
“Benji would be a big miss to any team, but I am confident we will have no problems with Trevor coming in.
“He’s experienced; he’s been there and done it, and he managed the game well at the end when he realised we needed a breather.”
As well as providing a feather in the cap for debutant Carson, the victory at McDiarmid Park was United’s fifth clean sheet in nine games – including one shutout against the champions of Scotland, Rangers.
“That’s something that we prided ourselves on last year,” continued Smith.
“But we struggled to stick the ball away at the other end.
“If can keep clean
sheets and add to what we have at the top end of the pitch, then it’s looking good.”
Smith also had praise for Dylan Levitt, who made an immediate debut following his loan arrival from Manchester United last week.
The duo actually exchanged more passes than any other pair on the pitch – highlighted by Courier Sport yesterday – and Smith is thrilled by the
potential the Welsh ace has already displayed.
“Dylan has come in and only trained once or twice,” said Smith.
“But he’s been thrown in by the gaffer and has repaid that faith.
“He had some really good touches, his passing was good and he put the boot in.”
There will be little time to bask in the afterglow of victory, with attention swiftly turning to
Saturday’s visit of Smith’s former club, Hearts.
It is the first fixture in which Tannadice will be permitted full capacity since the Covid outbreak, with an initial 2,676 allocation going to Hearts – always backed by a bumper travelling support.
“I’m sure it will be rocking,” added Smith.
“Hearts take a good away support wherever they go and it could be a full house at Tannadice.”