BODUL SEEKS REDEMPTION AFTER BLOWING IT WITH DUTCH MASTERS
But Bodul seeks redemption in Scotland
AFTER being mentored by Dutch masters such as Marco van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp i n the bright l i ghts of Amsterdam, it might appear as a considerable fall from grace to find yourself suddenly pitching up in the likes of Dundee.
That is not the case for Darko Bodul, however, who yesterday signed a two- year deal with Dundee United after impressing for Jackie McNamara’s men on their pre- season tour of the Netherlands.
The Austrian striker, who has been capped at Under-19 and Under-21 level for Croatia, came through the ranks at European giants Ajax and was one of the most promising talents to emerge from their youth set-up in 2009.
He admits himself, however, that a series of personal mistakes meant that he never truly fulfilled his potential in Amsterdam and is determined to use the experience as motivation to prove his ability at Tannadice.
‘My goal is to come here, score goals and make a bigger step,’ he said. ‘I am 26 years old and I believe in my quality, this team and this club.
‘I want to do well here and reach the top. I had chances when I was younger. I was with one of the biggest clubs in Europe but it didn’t work out the way I wanted.
‘Danny Blind signed me after I had played for Heerenveen and did well there. My coaches there were Marco van Basten, he brought me up, and also Dennis Bergkamp, who was the strikers’ coach.
‘I had the best time of my life to work with these people and they always said to me that they believed I was one of the biggest talents.
‘But I didn’t make the most of it. I wasn’t ready for that step when it came. I came from the streets. I had nothing but suddenly I was with a big club.
‘I was alone in Holland and didn’t have the right people around me, so I didn’t make the most of the opportunity.
‘My family were back in Austria. I was young and it was a difficult time for me. When you’re younger you don’t think properly and that’s why I didn’t reach the top.
‘But I still believe in myself, I’m 26 and still have a lot of things to achieve. Now I am grown up, I have my wife around me and she takes care of me.
‘I think I can get back to the top. I have been there once and won’t give up on getting back to the level I want to be playing at.’
Bodul arrives on Tayside as a replacement for departed former fans’ favourite Nadir Ciftci and hopes to prove just as influential as the now- Celtic forward who joined the Parkhead men from United earlier this summer.
He said: ‘I saw Nadir Ciftci play during his time in Holland and I know he was a good player. I think I can do it here, too.
‘I have goals I want to reach and I want to help the club reach its ambitions, too.
‘I am a technical player. I can hold the ball and I can score goals. I am a team player. I think I can help the team go forward.
‘The manager has told me he likes to play football. I liked the ideas he told me and that was a big factor.
‘I asked him a lot of questions and liked the answers he gave me. I was in Holland because I had a few offers from clubs there but I met the coach here and talked about coming to Dundee United.
‘He gave me a good feeling about the club. I think this is the best choice for me to take the next step in my career.’
United, meanwhile, have dropped their interest in Wigan striker Billy McKay. The Tannadice club had two bids rejected for the former Inverness hitman before moving to snap up Bodul.
And McNamara, who is mulling over a move for Dutch midfielder Rodney Sneijder and out- ofcontract St Mirren midfielder John McGinn, admits McKay has gone off their radar.
He said: ‘I would think that is over now in terms of signing Billy McKay. We have a few numbers in there just now.
‘Mario Bilate has come back and looks strong. Simon Murray has done well, we’ve got Robbie Muirhead and Ryan Dow as well, so we are well equipped up there.
‘We are still talking to Sneijder but there is nothing more to say. We will find out with that one over the next couple of days.
‘We made contact with McGinn but that is as far as I can say. I know he was away to the States but we’ll see if anything develops.’