BECK & BAWL
Despite Merseyside divide Owen was keen to sell Ryan on Dens
RYAN ASTLEY has revealed Owen Beck was the secret agent in his move to Dundee.
The Welsh Under-21 stopper, who left Everton to join Tony Docherty’s Dark Blue revolution last month, knew Beck from the international set-up and the duo share the same agent.
And on-loan Liverpool star Beck crossed the Merseyside divide to persuade his countryman to swap shades of blue.
Astley, who will be involved against St Johnstone in the Premiership tomorrow, said: “My agent said: ‘Dundee, what do you think?’ I was open to anything and had a Zoom call.
“That (Beck) had an impact, knowing I could do well. Owen has shown that because he has done it. I spoke to him when he had his little break and was back down at Liverpool.
“He was full of praise and told me that if I get the chance to come then I should take it.”
Astley has played under some big-name managers and after a spell on loan at Accrington he knew he had to leave Everton.
He said: “The moment was right for me to go and get myself a career. I’ve nothing but good things to say about everyone at Everton. I wanted to go and play and prove myself.
“It was a big decision and after I spoke to the gaffer at Dundee I wanted to come up and play for him.
“I was involved with the firstteam training at Everton. It was good under Sean Dyche. I really enjoyed his sessions and he was good.
“We’ve had a few managers. I’ve trained under all of them but I never made an appearance, although I’ve been on the bench a couple of times.
“After my loan spell it made me want to go out and play firstteam football.”
Astley claims his biggest influence at Goodison was former coach David Unsworth.
He said: “When I was with Everton’s Under-23s, he made me into such a better defender. My mentality changed under him, the little things he’d say – he was giving me confidence. I felt I was getting better and better under him. I’m always grateful to him.”
Now Astley, who made his debut against Hearts midweek, not only wants to follow Beck into the Dundee team but also break into the full Wales squad with him.
He added: “I feel like this is a good step to get game time and hopefully it can help get me there.”
Docherty insists Dundee are ready to take on the next 10 games to keep their place in the top six.
The Dens boss said: “It’s been a difficult period. We’ve had to deal with a lot of away games and things have gone against us but we’re out the other side. We’ve pressed the reset button and are looking ahead.”