United keeper feels stronger after lay-off
Deniz Mehmet insists he blocked out all memories of his last Tannadice encounter as he marked his successful return for Dundee United.
Mehmet was back between the sticks for the Tangerines in Friday night’s 3- 0 Betfred Cup win over minnows Cowdenbeath, and this time the big keeper came through unscathed.
Back in May 2018, Mehmet made the headlines for tearing his cruciate while celebrating Scott Mcdonald’s equaliser in their play-off clash with Dunfermline in a freak accident which sidelined him for months.
The 26- year- old former Arsenal and West Ham kid rejoined United earlier this month on a two- year deal, and maintains he simply had to forget about what happened that night against the Pars to get him through Friday’s cup tie.
Mehmet said: “It’s always good to get a game – I’ve been waiting for a long time.
“I went through rehab and went away for a bit and came back stronger.
“So I was fine. Mentally, I’m fairly strong, so my rehab felt like it went quickly – which is bizarre as it was sevenand-a-half months from the op.
“I kept in high spirits and everyone around the club was good at keeping me up, which was good.”
Mehmet is preparing to scrap it out with Swiss star Benjamin Siegrist for the No. 1 jersey this season, and the ex- Falkirk keeper can’t wait to stake his claim and get the nod from boss Robbie Neilson.
While Siegrist is likely to start the Championship campaign as first-choice for the Tayside promotion hopefuls, Mehmet has vowed to push him all the way as Neilson’s men eye a long-awaited return to the Premiership.
Mehmet said: “I got asked when I signed about challenging.
“Ben had a good end to the season and in the play- offs but he knows why I’m here.
“It’s a fight between us. We got on really well and push each other in training.
“We always have a laugh and a joke but we both are here competing for that shirt.
“Overall, we are building up quite nicely for the new season.
“We know what we want to achieve and will give it everything.”