Versatile O’Hara joins Dark Blues

DUNDEE: Hartley believes fourth capture ‘fits the bill perfectly’

Dundee boss Paul Hartley has bolstered his squad with the addition of Kilmarnock’s Mark O’Hara on a two-year deal.

The versatile 20-year-old, who can play at right-back, centre of defence or in midfield, featured 33 times for Killie last season.

O’Hara has also played for Scotland at Under19 and Under-21 level and he becomes Hartley’s fourth summer capture following the precontract signings of Inverness duo James Vincent and Danny Williams as well as striker Yordi Teijsse from Dutch amateur side Quick Boys.

Speaking about the O’Hara signing, Hartley said: “He is a player that fits the bill perfectly.

“Mark is at the right age and is someone we think we can work with and develop.

“He is versatile and at a young age has played a lot of games already. He can play right-back but we want to develop him in the middle of the park.

“He had a year left on his contract at Killie so we are delighted to secure his signing.”

The player himself tweeted: “Delighted to sign for @dundeefconline. Can’t wait to get started.”

Dundee have added the finishing touches to their preseason schedule, setting up a friendly with Alloa on Friday July 1.

The game at the Indodrill Stadium, against the side that Dundee boss Paul Hartley managed before taking over at Dens, will kick-off at 7.30pm.

Two days after the match against the Wasps, the Dark Blues squad will fly out to a training camp.

However, unlike the last two summers when they have been based on the outskirts of Budapest in Hungary, Dundee are heading for Obertraun in the Austrian mountains from July 3-9.

While the destination may have changed, the training schedule will be just as intense.

The players are to be put through their paces by fitness coach Tam Ritchie.

There will also be lots of work on the training pitches under the watchful eyes of Hartley and his assistant Gerry McCabe.

On their return to Scotland, Dundee will be gearing up for the group stages of the Betfred Cup starting on July 16 with a trip to New Bayview to play Gary Naysmith’s League One outfit East Fife.

The Dark Blues then play Dumbarton – who they will already have met on June 28 in a friendly at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium – on July 23 at Dens before making the journey to Peterhead three days later.

Then, on July 30, they entertain Gary Bollan’s Forfar side at home.

Picture: David Young. Mark O’Hara at Dens last night after becoming a Dundee player.