Danish striker Thomas Mikkelsen believes he may just be the perfect fit for Dundee United.
Tannadice manager Ray McKinnon has been saying for some time that he was keen to sign a physical frontman, someone who could hold the ball up and get his head on the end of crosses.
The job description is one that could have been written with Mikkelsen in mind.
The 26-year-old, who has joined the Tangerines on loan from Odense in his homeland until the end of the season, named former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy as his boyhood hero, while he was also offered a comparison with ex-United ace Duncan Ferguson.
While it would be unfair on the player to expect him to come near the standard reached by those two in their stellar careers, the Dane is confident he can get goals for the Championship promotion-chasers, hopefully starting in tomorrow’s home game against Queen of the South.
Mikkelsen said: “I am happy to be here and I am joining a big team.
“It’s great to be at Dundee United and I am looking forward to seeing the fans and them seeing me.
“I can then show them that I can score goals.
“I have read about Scottish football and seen it on TV before so I know it’s a good brand.
“The style is the best for me because I am a physical player. I think we will be a good match
“I am very aggressive in the box and I go for every ball, well almost!
“I am also strong and can keep the ball.
“I hope I can get my teammates into better positions and play them in with assists.
“I would also like a lot of crosses and if that happens then I can score a lot of goals.
“When I was younger I liked watching Ruud van Nistelrooy so he is someone I learned from.”
Also, it was mentioned that a certain Big Dunc kicked off his career with the Tangerines.
Mikkelsen added: “He started here, yeah?
“OK – he was a great target man.
“I don’t remember but I could be him!”
Mikkelsen stressed that although the loan deal ends in the summer he is open to staying at United for long term if everything falls into place.
He was a target of the club’s in the summer but the move didn’t materialise because there would have been a fee involved.
So he knows he is a wanted man.
Mikkelsen said: “I knew there was some interest from Scotland at that time last year but that’s about it.
“As a player, you only really concentrate on what you do on the pitch.
“If United were looking for me in the summer then I would have been interested because I know a lot about Scottish football and its style.
“This time, I only found out two days before I came over.
“I had returned from holiday and then I knew around about January 3 and I was here to see the club just a couple of days later.
“I wanted to get over as quickly as possible.
“So I came here on the fifth and then a day after I had a game against Hibs so I had only just met my new teammates.
“I think I am in good shape but I wasn’t sure that I would get my debut that night because I hadn’t been training.
“So I was happy to get 15 minutes as a substitute and to get to know how my teammates play.
“This move was my own decision.
“I have my girlfriend with me and she is my support. So I think it will be easy for me to integrate here.
“I have been up to see the city of Dundee and it’s a good place.
“I have one and a half years left on my contract at Odense but if I do well here then I will be interested in staying here.
“Now I just have to focus on this half-year and hopefully I can help get Dundee United up to the best league.”
Meanwhile, United continue to chase another new attacking player, with any deal unlikely to happen before next week.
Also, in a separate development, they have had Stirling Albion forward Dylan Bikey training with them.
The 21-year-old Frenchman was signed by the Forthbank club in late November on an amateur contract after a spell with Dieppe.
Manager Ray McKinnon said: “Dylan has been training with us and we will continue to monitor him.
“There are no moves to sign him just now.”
