Mark Fotheringham believes Dundee have unearthed a real gem in recent signing Simon Ferry and even favourably compared him with Italian World Cup star Claudio Marchisio.
Ferry agreed a deal at Dens this month after negotiating his release from English League One side Portsmouth.
Fellow Dundonian Fotheringham predicts his pal will be a big hit for Paul Hartley’s Dark Blues in the Scottish Premiership.
He said: “I’m sure Simon will be a great signing for Dundee. I know him well and he’s buzzing at the prospect of getting back to Dundee and playing in the SPFL.
“He’s the kind of player who can dictate games with his range of short and long passing, and he’s box-to-box as well which is what you want from the modern-day midfielder.
“He’s a bit like Marchisio who plays for Italy. Obviously we’re talking about a different level but he has the same kind of traits to his game when you see him play. That’s the biggest compliment I could pay him.
“I’m not putting pressure on him because I know how good he can be on his day. I’m sure he’ll prove that to others and will turn out to be a very shrewd signing by Dundee.”
Fotheringham added: “Simon is a confident player who is always a big personality in the dressing room.
“Everyone will take to him right away and he’s got a good lot of experience from playing down in England which can only help his new team-mates.
“So knowing him, he will be absolutely relishing this challenge to show what a good player he is.
“We go back a long way as we came through at the same boys club in Dundee.
“He’s never changed a bit, just loves his football and wants to be the best he can be.
“The one thing that will shine through this season is his natural ability and I can see him chipping in with a good few goals as well.”