Landing Kev can help our Euro dream
MCINNES:MCINNE JACK DEAL SHOWS WE MEAN BUSINESS
DUNDEE boss Paul Hartley believes the signing of Kevin Holt can help Dundee further their European aspirations next season.
The Queen of the South defender has penned a pre-contract with the Dark Blues who will have to pay a compensation fee.
Hol t j o i ns Kan e Hemmings, Rory Loy, Nicky Low and Daryll Meggatt in arriving as the Dark Blues attempt to improve on this season’s sixth-placed finish.
And Hartley said: “Kevin is a player I have watched over the last two years.
“He has good potential at just 22. The age of the squad is getting younger.
“We are trying to progress the club. We’ve had a good season but we have to improve on that next year.”
Hartley also confirmed full-back Willie Dyer will be leaving the club. DEREK McINNES last night hailed the new deal for Ryan Jack as a real statement of intent from Aberdeen.
The Dons boss was thrilled to tie the midfield aace down on an extended contractcontr that will keep the youngsteryo at PittodriePittodr until at least the summers of 2017.
JackJ has become one of the main men in Aberdeen’s success story in recent seasons and his form has fired him on to the radar of Scotland boss Gordon Strachan.
The 23-year-old was called up at the end of the last campaign and has bossed the Dons midfield again this year.
Jack’s form has attracted attention from clubs in England with Everton scouting the playmaker in recent weeks and others such as West Brown keeping tabs on the former Scotland Under-21 skipper.
The new deal means Aberdeen will be in prime position to cash in if a big-money bid comes in but McInnes insisted the Dons are more interested in keeping their star players at Pittodrie.
The Reds gaffer said: “We are all delighted Ryan has committed to the club until the end of season 2016-2017. It shows real intent from Ryan to play his part in a successful Aberdeen team.
“It also demonstrates the club can hold on to its good players.”
Aberdeen have already secured key men such as attackers Adam Rooney, Niall McGinn, Peter Pawlett and Jonny Hayes on log-term deals while veteran midfielder Barry Robson has signed up for another season.