Luka Tankulic free-kick a pleasant surprise for Dundee boss

Dundee boss Paul Hartley says he didn’t know Luka Tankulic was so good at free-kicks until the striker stole the show at Dens against Hearts on Tuesday.

The second-half sub got the ball rolling for the 3-0 win with a terrific low shot on 50 minutes.

He then stepped up to stroke home a superb set-piece to show his manager he will be a candidate for the free-kicks when the new season gets going.

“I didn’t know he took free-kicks but I do now,” said Hartley. “It was a fantastic finish. That’s really pleasing and he is a confident lad.

“I was also pleased with his first goal because we had been encouraging him when we were in Hungary (at their summer training camp) to take his shots early.

“He had been taking too many touches but we worked on that, as you saw tonight.

“Those were two good goals and hopefully he can only get better.

“He looked really sharp and strong, and linked up really well with Craig Wighton after they both came on.

“Wighton was also excellent and his touch and awareness for a young kid was different class.”