The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
SIGNING COUP:
Dark Blues boss hails arrival of ex-England defender as the ‘signing coup of season’
Former Liverpool, Cardiff and QPR defender Steven Caulker yesterday signed for Dundee on an 18-month contract.
Dundee boss Neil McCann has hailed the capture of Steven Caulker as one of the signing coups of the season.
The former England defender was snapped up by the Dens manager yesterday and there was no doubting just how delighted he was with this piece of business, bracketing the 26-year-old alongside previous high-profile signings such as Claudio Caniggia.
McCann lost star defender Jack Hendry to Celtic during the transfer window and he believes once Caulker is fully up to speed he will have a huge impact at the club.
The manager said: “I think this is one of the best pieces of business this season, not just in January. To get someone of Steven’s calibre to the club, I have to thank the club for allowing it to happen.
“We have had some unbelievable names here at Dundee, like Claudio Caniggia who I played with at Rangers and Fabrizio Ravanelli. Steven is only 26, he has the best years ahead of him so to bring him here is a massive coup.
“I wanted him to feel like he belonged somewhere again. I hope I can offer the platform for him in an environment he will enjoy.
“I was really open and honest with him. It wasn’t about finances because he had so many other offers on the table.
“I just sold myself to him, sold the club to him, the team to him and the environment. He can come here, Scottish football will be new to him so there is a freshness.
“I told him we have lost a class player in Jack Hendry to Celtic so I was looking for someone to come in and help the boys who are here. Once he gets up to speed we will have a hell of a player on our hands.”
Caulker’s last game was back in September for Queens Park Rangers and McCann admitted that although it may be some time until he is fully fit, his quality will shine through regardless.
McCann added: “He has not played since he left Queens Park Rangers but he has so much ability and so much to offer. I can’t wait for him to start.
“He might not hit his ‘A Game’ straight away because he has been out of action for a few months but he has so much quality he will help us.
“We will need to see his condition first, we have to make sure he’s right. He has to be comfortable in his surroundings, his condition and where he is.
“He looked very good in training today, we had an intense session and that allowed him to get into the squad and feel part of it. He will get the place excited from just being here.”