THE lure of the SPL and working with a manager who was making a third attempt to sign him, convinced Scott Robertson to become the latest player to make Scottish football's shortest journey yesterday and swap Dundee for Dundee United.
The 23-year-old midfielder and life-long Dark Blues fan was unveiled as United's first major signing of the summer when he put pen-to-paper on a three year deal.
In hopping over the road from Dens Park to Tannadice under freedom of contract he
was following in the footsteps of the likes of United captain Lee Wilkie and recently departed wide man Steven Robb.
And while unlike them his family ties to Dundee made the switch more awkward, he felt the chance to team up with Craig Levein and his improving team was too good an opportunity to let pass.
He said: "From a football point of view I did not really have to give it much thought and I don't think coming from Dundee is that big a deal. It's a choice between First Division football and playing SPL football and it was easy to make.
"Being a Dundee fan all my life I have to admit it was a bit strange coming in here today, but having been at Dundee for so long now it was going to be strange walking into anywhere.
"All my family will still be Dundee fans but they will support me here as well. This has been talked about for about six months so they kind of expected this, though it still took a wee while for it to sink in when I told them.
"First and foremost they will support me and they'll probably come to watch me.
"They know that this was the right decision for me to make for my career because I feel I've learned a lot from playing in the First Division but now the time is right to be in the SPL and I do think I deserve the chance."
As does Levein, who tried to sign him as a teenager for Hearts and again during his spell in charge of Leicester City in the English Championship.
Robertson admitted Levein's eagerness and his reputation were significant factors in his deciding to opt for United instead of taking up offers to head south.
"I am aware he has tried to get me before and that is nice to know. I've also spoken to a few people in the game and everyone of them told me that if I came here I would improve as a player working under him.
"I also feel I can come here and be challenging for trophies. United did very well last season and I think they will be up there again next season mounting a strong challenge for a European place."
Levein said: "My attention was first drawn to Scott when he was playing in the Dundee youths against Hearts.
"In the end it's taken five or six years, but it will be worth it because we are getting another talented player whose best years are ahead of him and who has the ambition and hunger to be a success.
The full article contains 537 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
