By Graeme Dey

DUNDEE BOSS Jocky Scott believes that in Gary Harkins he has landed the complete package.

Harkins yesterday penned a three-year contract with the Dens Park club after they agreed a deal —initially worth £125,000 but having the potential to rise to £150,000—with Partick Thistle.

Scott warmly welcomed the capture of a someone he believes will add much to the Dark Blues.

“Gary was the first player that I targeted at the end of last season,” he revealed.

“Right after the last game against Partick here I asked Ian McCall how much he wanted for him because I rated Gary one of the best in the league.

“It’s taken us all summer to come to an agreement but I’m delighted we’ve now managed that.

“There were rumours of other clubs being interested but at the end of the day we are the ones who came up with the money for him.

“Now I hope he shows the money was well spent. And I’m sure he will because he is a player who is capable of creating and scoring goals, he’s good at set-plays and in general play, has good touch, good vision and can tackle.”

Harkins has replaced Dundee’s other recent purchase—Leigh Griffiths —as the subject of the most expensive transfer between two Scottish clubs this summer.

But the 24-year-old dismissed the notion that might weigh him down.

“I don’t think it puts any more pressure on me to perform,” he said.

“Coming to a club like Dundee there’s always expectation. It would have been the same if I’d come here as a free.

“Dundee are showing a lot of ambition this summer —they look like they want to win the league—and hopefully we can go on and do just that.

“When you are spending money like they are you can’t afford to lose out.

“It was really hard to leave Thistle because they’ve been good to me.

“It was emotional. But that’s football. You have to do what’s best for yourself.”

Harkins revealed one spin off from joining the Dark Blues will be avoiding being roughed up by some of the guys he now calls team-mates.

“I got kicked a lot last season and I know I’ve got more of that to look forward to this year,” he said.

“At least it won’t be any of the Dundee boys doing it, though.

“I got a few kicks off them last season. I think I’ve still got Jim Lauchlan’s stud marks somewhere on my leg,” he joked.

Meanwhile, the Dark Blues are now to play two matches during their week-long trip to Austria later this month.

Details of the games are still to be finalised but Dundee are expected to face lower-league German opposition in both.

Dundee were last night being linked with James Wesolowski, the Australian midfielder who had a successful loan spell with United last season.

It is understood to be highly unlikely the player will end up at Dens, though, as the wages he commands with Leicester City are way beyond what big-spending Dundee could countenance.