McKinnon ‘gutted’ as McGhee joins Dundee

Falkirk manager Ray McKinnon insists Dundee have signed an excellent player who is about to enter his prime in Jordan McGhee, writes Neil Robertson.

The 22-year-old defender became Dark Blues boss James McPake’s second summer capture yesterday.

McGhee started his career at Hearts and was part of the Jambos side which won the SPFL Championship title in 2014/15.

He was a regular for the Tynecastle outfit the following season in the top flight before going out on loan to Middlesbrough.

McGhee then moved to Falkirk in 2017 and was made the Bairns’ skipper in January, this year.

However, he left McKinnon’s side yesterday to sign a two-year deal at Dens.

The Bairns boss admitted he had tried everything in his power to persuade McGhee to sign up for another season with Falkirk but had to admit defeat when Dundee came calling for his skipper.

McKinnon said: “Jordan is an excellent player who is only 22.

“Last season we had to play him in a number of positions because of injuries.

“He can play full-back or in the centre of defence and he also scored four goals for us.

“He is up and down the park, gets in behind and is just an allround good player.

“I was absolutely gutted to lose him.

“He was the Falkirk captain and I 100% tried to keep him at the club.

“Jordan is a fantastic athlete, a great professional and he is right in his prime to kick on and be a super player which is why I tried my absolute best to keep him.”

Former Scotland Under-21 star McGhee will wear the No 3 jersey this season for the Dark Blues.

Earlier this month, McPake snapped up winger Declan McDaid from Ayr as the new Dundee boss begins rebuilding the squad for next season’s hoped-for promotion push.

Jordan McGhee: captain at Falkirk last season.