Gary Harkins will happily devolve responsibility for set-pieces to new Dundee team-mate Luka Tankulic…as long as the striker keeps hitting the target.
The German, who signed a two-year deal with the Dark Blues at the start of week, fired home a fantastic free-kick to round off a comfortable 3-0 friendly win over Hearts on Tuesday.
It was Tankulic’s second goal of the night, having blasted home a low shot just minutes after coming on as a substitute.
After netting with the free-kick Tankulic made a beeline for Harkins, who by this time was sitting in the dugout. The pair then shared a double high-five and a few words.
The midfielder, who is somewhat handy himself with a deadball, has admitted that if Tankulic can keep producing strikes like that then he will be delighted to let him get on with it.
“Luka is quality and we have seen that already,” said Harkins.
“I was delighted to see him get both his goals and hopefully he can carry it on into the new season. The free-kick was a great strike and his first finish was quality too.
“He said to me that he used to take freekicks when he played in Germany and he showed that when he hit that one into the top corner. So it’s great for us.
“I like a set-piece myself but as long as he can stick them in the top corner I don’t care who takes them. It is all about what’s good for the club so I won’t be complaining about who hits them.”
Harkins has also been impressed by Dundee’s other German signing, central defender Thomas Konrad.
“I think we have already learned that if you are in front of Thomas then you either just pass or jump. That’s because he’s as hard as nails.
“It looks as though he is a winner so it’s good for us to have him on board.”
The win over Hearts saw Dundee put on another stylish show, passing the ball well and dominating their opponents.
The way they are playing is suiting Harkins just fine and he is looking for that to continue in Friday night’s match at Sheffield United and beyond.
He said: “We moved the ball really well.
“If we can do that week-in week-out then we will be all right. We have only just come up, as everyone knows, but I think what have in the dressing-room is a lot of boys who want to prove themselves. I think they will do that.
“I don’t see why we won’t be as entertaining as any other team in the league. Personally, I don’t like to just hoof it into corners and chase balls.
“Other guys like Paul McGowan, Simon Ferry and Kevin Thomson don’t like to do that either. So I think we will pass the ball as well as most teams.
“Overall the signs are encouraging. I know it’s still only pre-season but as everyone says winning is a habit and we’ve started it early. So hopefully we can carry on the work that we do in training every day and pre-season into the new season.
“I played against Sheffield United last season and they’re a good side. That will be a tough game but we’re relishing it.”