McPake in for Alex as Hemmings moves on
MICKY MELLON believes Ryan Edwards is a leader who can help Dundee United’s young stars come of age in the Premiership.
Mellon was delighted to land the defender after he quit Blackpool earlier this week.
And he believes Edwards, who has also had spells at Blackburn, Plymouth and Morecambe, can use his experience to the rest of the squad’s benefit.
Mellon said: “I came into the group and got underneath it before I made any decisions on what type of players I needed to bring in.
“It became clear to me we needed that type of centraldefender to complement what we already have.
“Ryan is a leader, fantastic competitor and a good allround guy. He has come up here with bags of ambition and is looking to do really well.
“He has an ambition to make a real impact. He’ll be a good addition to the squad along with Luke Bolton and we are pleased we have strengthened the group.”
The United boss also knows nobody can question Edward’s character after he won his battle with testicular cancer.
Mellon said: “The boy has had to deal with that at a young age and he showed tremendous character to get through that.
“Nobody can question Ryan’s character coming through something very serious like that. He has done it and we are
BY SCOTT BURNS delighted to have a boy with that sort of character because we are going to need that in the building.”
The Liverpudian, 26, is also no stranger to Mellon as the manager has kept an eye on him since he came through the ranks at Rovers.
Mellon will now decide whether Edwards will debut at Motherwell on Saturday.
He said: “I saw Ryan in his Blackburn days. He is a centreback I’ve known for a long time. He is a good size, a good athlete and is a winner.
“I know he will come up here, settle and do very well. He is maybe a wee bit behind in fitness as he hasn’t done six weeks like we have done.
“But we’ll gauge him along with Bolton and if we feel they’re ready for this weekend then we will put him in.”
Mellon also confirmed he is actively prodding away at other options. Ipswich Town striker James Norwood remains a top target – having previously played under the United manager at Tranmere.
And Mellon said: “I can’t speak about any of that.
“We are in the market, if possible, to make Dundee United’s squad stronger.
“I’m careful to say squad because we have good players here but are in the market all the time to try to make that better.
“It’s an ongoing job. The recruitment market can change on the toss of a coin. It can be one that happens right away or it could be a slow burner where you’re continually prodding at it.
‘There are a few we’re prodding at the moment and trying to shake and things can change quickly. We are on the front foot and trying to improve the squad with some strong character as quickly as we can.
“We will get linked to all sorts of players because we speak to agents but we have to be respectful to other clubs and players. The clubs would be the first place we would go to if we were to try to pursue something.”
The United boss was disappointed to open with a home draw against St Johnstone and has held talks with various players as to where he feels there needs to be improvement.
He added: “As professionals we have to be disappointed we didn’t win against 10 men.
“I combed over the games so I know what I’m saying to the players this week. I have spoken to a few about what we are looking for from them.”
BY SCOTT BURNS
DUNDEE boss James McPake has landed Alex Jakubiak after top scorer Kane Hemmings asked to leave the Dens Park club.
McPake has signed the striker, who spent the end of last season on loan at St Mirren, on a two-year contract after his release from Watford.
The Dens chief, who snapped up former St Mirren forward Danny Mullen earlier this week, was able to do the deal after Hemmings asked for his contract to be terminated amidst interest from Burton Albion.
McPake said: “Alex is one that excites us. He was identified very early on as one that we would like to bring to the club.
“We are delighted to bring Alex in, he will bring real power and strength to the team.
“He is a player we wanted to bring in anyway, he’s different to Kane so I wouldn’t say he’s a direct replacement.
“Alex is more dynamic, he’s a different player with different strengths.
“I’m delighted to get him and Danny in, they will be good for this club.
“It was a surprise when Kane phoned saying he wanted to leave because he’d agreed and signed his new contract. But a couple of days later he said he’d changed his mind.
“It’s disappointing but when a player doesn’t want to be at the club then it’s best they move on.”