Low: Hartley Will Make Me A Better Player

[JoeCovenant]

Source: Evening Telegraph

Even at 23 new Dundee signing Nicky Low can regard himself as a player who has proved he’s Premiership quality. His time in Aberdeen’s first-team squad has shown that. But the midfielder hasn’t just come to Dens Park in search of a more regular starting place, he is convinced that, under Paul Hartley, he will improve.

Having been a team-mate of the Dark Blues boss at Pittodrie and then play for him during a loan spell at Alloa, he makes no secret of the fact he’s a huge admirer. And operating in the same position as his new gaffer did means the chance to team up with him again didn’t require much thought.

“When I knew there was interest from Paul, it was a no-brainer for me to come here,†he said. “There were a few teams who’d phoned my agent towards the end of my contract at Aberdeen. They wanted to see if I’d go and train with them and stuff like that. But it wasn’t at the stage with anyone actually asking me to sign for them.

“Then I found out about Dundee and Paul and I knew where I wanted to go. “Paul was the major factor in me coming here because having worked with him at Aberdeen and then when I was on loan at Alloa, I knew he’d be good for me.

“Paul played in a similar position to me and, when I was at Alloa, there were things he’d point out I was doing and where I could improve. That’s what I want again here because I think in the next couple of years here I can learn a lot from him and improve as a player. And that’s what you want from a manager. I’m my own biggest critic and I know when I’m playing well or badly.

“But I want hear things I don’t realise I’m doing or not doing. I know that’s something I’ll get from Paul. You don’t just want to hear you’re having a bad game when that happens because you already know that yourself. You want things you can work on and that will improve you — he’ll give me that.â€

As those words suggest, there’s a good relationship between player and manager. Low, though, knows the fact they get on well will count for nothing when it comes to getting in the team.

“I’m excited about coming here but I know I’ll have to do well to play because it’s a good squad that did well last season and the gaffer’s made some good signings for next season. Pre-season will be a fresh start for all of us and everybody has to work hard and make sure they do well. I know I will have to produce performances to be in the team here at the start of the season.â€

For Low, that time can’t come quickly enough and he already has fond memories of playing at Dens.

“I started here when Aberdeen won 3-2 early last season and came on as a sub in the game when we got a draw with a goal in the last minute near the end of the year. That day was a weird feeling because I already knew I was coming here.

“Knowing I’d signed made playing against Dundee strange but that’s football and you do your job. When I came on, the whole stadium applauded me and that was a first, but the Dundee fans appreciated I had a job to do for Aberdeen and that was good as well. It’ll be strange when we play Aberdeen. I was there a long time but doing well for Dundee is my priority.â€