Dundee United new signing Paul Paton has thanked manager Jackie McNamara for convincing him he can be a player.
Paton, who joined teammate Michael Gardyne and coach Dave Bowman to model the club’s 2013-14 team kits on Thursday, has revealed just how much of an influence McNamara has been on him.
The pair worked together at Partick Thistle as player and manager and, when McNamara switched from Firhill to Tannadice, he made his mind up quickly that he wanted both Paton and fellow Jag Chris Erskine to follow him.
The defender, who can also operate in midfield, is now preparing to make the step up from First Division football to the SPL.
He is sure he can meet the challenge and McNamara has helped instill much of that belief in Paton.
“This is a massive challenge for me,” said Paton, when asked how he looking forward to this new chapter in his career.
“I am not going to lie. I am untried and untested at SPL level. However, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could do a job for United.
“The manager had been telling me for a season and a half during our time at Thistle that I was an SPL-standard player in the First Division.
“He told me that he always knew I would move on and that I should believe in myself.
“I did believe and I listened to him an, when my chance came along I took it.
“I have so much to thank the gaffer for. He has given me confidence to realise I can go on the park and play a wee bit rather than just run about kicking people!
“I am only kidding about kicking people but I do base my game on working hard and passing the ball to others like Chris Erskine, Michael Gardyne, Ryan Gauld or Gary Mackay-Steven.
“I will work so hard for the club because there is no point coming to a place like Tannadice and going through the motions. I want to be the best I can be.”
Paton added: “Stuart McCall at Motherwell was looking at me and there were a couple from down in England but, when the gaffer phoned me and said he wanted me to join United, it was a quick decision for me.”
Paton hasn’t yet seen his new teammates in action and will have to wait for the start of pre-season training to do so but, when the squad does get together for trips to Germany and Spain, there will be one player in particular that he is keen to work with.
“I have watched United carefully over the last few years and have been impressed by how they have played,” added Paton.
“To be joining a squad that includes someone like GMS is pretty exciting. I have not played alongside him yet but I am looking forward to working with him on the training pitch even because I hear he is even better there than he is during games.
“No doubt I will quickly realise just how good a player he is. I will certainly prefer playing with him rather than against him because often he makes opponents look silly.”