Tapping joins older brother at Brechin

Brechin City will have two Tapping brothers in their line-up for the new season after former East Stirling defender Jordan agreed to join older sibling Calum at Glebe Park.

Jordan played in senior football aged just 17 before moving on to junior side Sauchie in 2016 before the 22-year-old returned to the Shire last summer to play for them in the Lowland league.

Brechin boss Darren Dods said: “Jordan has been fully involved with us during the pre-season programme. He has competed well against teams from a higher level and has fitted in well with his defensive team-mates.”

“I am looking forward to working with him throughout the season.” Scott Allardice is hoping to be at the centre of it all for Dundee United next season.

The 20-year-old local lad has come through the ranks at Tannadice as a midfielder but now feels he is better suited to central defence.

He played there for United in their pre-season victory over Brechin City on Tuesday night and would be happy to stay in the middle of the backline.

It was an accomplished display, albeit in a summer friendly, and he slotted in nicely alongside the more experienced new signing Frederic Frans.

Being a centre-back is not a new thing for Allardice, as he played that role for the Tangerines in the Irn-bru Cup last season and while on loan at East Fife.

However, it is a big deal for any player to make such a significant decision about where he sees himself in the side.

Allardice was asked how he now views himself and replied: “I certainly think I am more of a centre-half now than a midfielder.

“When I went on loan to East Fife I played in the centre of the defence for a majority of the games.

“I also played in the Irn-bru matches last season for United.

“I do enjoy it and the more I play the position the more experience and knowledge I get. It is about learning the art of defending rather than just playing the ball out from the back.

“I would say I am getting more and more comfortable game by game.

“I hope I am giving the gaffer more food for thought in terms of the positions that I can play.

“I could definitely play there as well as midfield just in front of the backline.

“It is quite common to change positions and you saw that here with Stewart Murdoch, who played at the back after coming to the club as a midfielder.

“It is about adapting.

“It can only be good for me and my development as a player.”

Allardice clearly loved lining up alongside Frans, who already looks like a definite first pick for manager Csaba Laszlo.

Still learning: And Scott Allardice knows where he wants to play.