A spectacular second string goal and the smile that appeared on his face after it might just have earned Randy Wolters a Dundee starting place against St Johnstone today.
The Dutch winger has taken time to settle into Scottish football and admitted he was feeling homesick when his pregnant wife returned to Holland for a visit a few weeks back.
All that, and a hamstring problem, means the 27-year-old has not started for the Dark Blues since the trip to Hamilton on August 12.
Throughout, though, gaffer Neil McCann has backed the former Go Ahead Eagles star to come good and the signs are that’s now happening.
Wolters put in a starring performance as the U/20s maintained their impressive start to the Development League with a 4-2 win over Aberdeen on Tuesday.
It saw him grab a spectacular 25-yard goal and an assist as he helped the young Dee to their best victory so far.
“Randy had a decent first half, but he did really well after the break with his goal, the assist and he played very well,” said Neil.
“We have been asking things of him and he’s maybe been lacking confidence but I think he’s ready to kick on now.
“He knows he can offer so much more, but I saw a switch go in him during the U/20s game this week and he looked a different player. I have so much belief in Randy.”
If he does, as looks likely, decide to make changes from the side that went down 4-1 at Rangers last Saturday, the gaffer does have a few options.
With James McPake and Craig Wighton on the long-term injury list and Josh Meekings, Kosta Gadzhalov and Julen Etxabeguren not yet fit enough for first-team action, he’s still well short of having a full squad to pick from.
But Scott Allan has recovered from the groin problem that forced him off late in the first half at Ibrox.
And club captain Darren O’Dea is fit enough to start after getting 45 minutes for the U/20s against the Dons, though Neil admits dropping either Jack Hendry or Kerr Waddell from the centre of the defence would be harsh given their early-season form.
Spanish defender Jon Aurtenetxe also got an hour the other night and could be involved at some stage today. He is likely to start on the bench.
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