The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Kuate believes world is at his feet
Club captain impressed by impact of midfielder
Dundee United’s new cult hero Wato Kuate believes he has the world at his feet, according to club captain Sean Dillon.
Kuate stole the show in the Premiership play-off quarter-final victory over Morton on Friday night with a superb 30-yard goal.
The United fans, to a man, woman and child, have taken the Cameroon-born Portuguese midfielder to their hearts and will be hoping he can thrill them again when the Tangerines face Falkirk in the first leg of the semi-final at Tannadice tonight.
If Dillon’s assessment is anything to go by, then Kuate certainly won’t be short of self-belief.
The Irishman, speaking ahead of the match that will be shown live on BT Sport 1, said: “I don’t think Wato needs any more confidence, but his goal will have done him a lot of good anyway.
“I have had a few car trips with him trying to get to know him better and he is a nice fella.
“If anything, he is probably a lot quieter in training than he is in his interviews. He is pretty quiet, actually, but he will speak on the pitch and sometimes he
gets a bit carried away with some of his shouts.
“His interviews are different, that’s for sure, but it’s a bit of craic.
“I heard he told our club TV that when he is match fit he is the best player in that position in the world.
“That is interesting. It certainly makes a difference from someone saying ‘we’ll see how things go’ and all the usual stuff.
“Why not think that? For him to say it, he must believe that he can be, you know?
“I got chatting to him before and I think, when he went to Manchester City, he said he had been at Juventus and AC Milan and had options to go elsewhere. “He chose Man City. “Obviously it hasn’t worked out for him but he looks good enough.
“Also, can you imagine me saying I heard a voice in the crowd and the goal was a gift to them – the biggest gift I give them is keeping the ball in play!
“But I think it’s great because Wato is a character and has done well since coming in.
“Nothing has seemed to faze him and the gaffer thinks he has done well enough to be playing.
“It is really good to have a new signing – someone fresh – at this time of the season.”
Dillon, who has just completed his testimonial year, revealed he is ready for action if called upon tonight, after recovering from his ankle problem. He said: “My ankle is fine. “I have been back training so I’m available if the manager needs me.
“Fitness-wise I have missed a few weeks of training but I’m feeling good and ready.
“It’s not my decision, especially when we have won by three goals and kept a clean sheet in our last game.
“We have only conceded one goal over the two games so it’s positive.
“We were not great in the first half on Friday but we improved in the second half, so we have to be better from the start against Falkirk.
“No disrespect to Morton but we probably got off the hook a bit there with the way we started both matches.
“The manager has stressed that to us a few times.”
I don’t think Wato needs any more confidence, but his goal will have done him a lot of good. SEAN DILLON