Marcus Haber has revealed there was a chance that Dundee might have missed out on signing him – to local rivals United.
The big Canadian striker has become a key player since he joined the Dark Blues in October and on Thursday he was rewarded for the impact he has made with a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Dens until the summer of 2019.
Haber is understandably delighted to secure his long-term future after a summer of uncertainty following his release by English outfit Crewe with the player spending a few days training with United prior to joining Dundee.
The 28-year-old, who is looking forward to facing St Mirren in the William Hill Scottish Cup this afternoon at Dens, said: “I was originally signed until the end of the season and I am delighted to have extended with the club.
“They have been brilliant with me so far.
“I have settled in really well so I am overjoyed. The boys have brought me in nicely and it has gone well in my time here.
“It is tough for any professional when you are out of contract.
“I was in a situation where I was in a team who weren’t performing well.
“Personally, I scored the most goals I have in a season but we were relegated. I got 10 goals last season.
“I had a few offers in June and July but nothing really came of them and when you get to July and August without a club it can be a difficult situation.
“I always remained positive and kept myself in decent shape so when the chance to come here arrived I was delighted.
“I had also trained with United for a few days. I wouldn’t know if you would class it as a full trial.
“I went and trained with them and we spoke about potentially doing something but they wanted to keep me for a longer time and they didn’t have any reserve matches so I elected to leave.
“If they didn’t want to offer me anything I didn’t want to wait around for another couple of weeks when I was going away on international duty.
“The timing didn’t work out there but it worked out at Dundee so I am happy.”
Haber’s manager insisted on Thursday that he believes the best is yet to come from the striker – something Haber himself agrees with.
He added: “I didn’t have a pre-season so I might have lacked a bit of fitness and match sharpness to begin with but now I feel I am getting my legs back fully and I can only improve.
“I have started to work well with my team mates. They know my strengths now and you are only going to see us get a better understanding the more we go on.
“I am looking to help the team. There is more to my game than goals. If I can chip in with a fair amount then that is a good thing for any forward.
“I can also hold the ball up, bring others in and get my fair share of assists as well. If I am doing that as well as chipping in with goals then I am sure the manager and my team will be happy with me.”
Haber admits he is also looking forward to working more with fellow front men, Craig Wighton and Faissal El Bakhtaoui.
He said: “They are the type of players I enjoy playing with and they probably enjoy playing with me as well.
“They are very quick and can get in behind and those type of players thrive off somebody who can hold things up against a more physical presence.
“I think we complement each other and bring out the best in each other.”
St Mirren are currently struggling at the bottom of the Championship table but Haber insists no-one in the Dundee quad will be treating them lightly.
He added: “I haven’t had too many long cup runs. I had a decent one at St Johnstone when we lost to Celtic in the quarter finals but I’ve had some bad runs in the FA Cup down south.
“So I would be excited to get a run here.
“On paper, the media will make us favourites against St Mirren. We know every match is difficult and they will come here looking to get a result, just like we will.
“We won’t show them any disrespect and we will approach it professionally like we would any other game.”
