Richie Ryan has revealed that a flying visit made by Dundee United boss Peter Houston was the decisive factor in him opting for the SPL instead of the English Championship.
Houston jetted over to Dublin to watch the 26-year-old captain Sligo Rovers to victory over Shelbourne in the FAI Cup final on November 6. The Tannadice gaffer saw enough to offer Ryan a deal, but the player already had a trial on the table from Darren Ferguson at Peterborough.
As Ryan joined his new team-mates for training on Tuesday, he explained why he decided to opt for United.
He said: ”I didn’t know anything about United’s interest until after the cup final at the start of November. The manager had come over to watch the match and liked what he saw.
”I did have the chance to go to Peterborough for a week’s trial but that was all it was.”
He added: ”So I thought that the fact the manager here had made the effort to come to Dublin to see me meant I would have a better chance here.
”It meant a lot to me that he did that as it showed me he was really keen.
”If I went to Peterborough I would have been going into it cold because Darren Ferguson had never seen me play.
”It was different with United so I felt this was the right move for me.”
Ryan began at Sunderland then moved on several times before heading back to Ireland to get his career going again. Having done so, he believes he is ready to make his mark on the SPL.
Ryan said: ”I started with Sunderland for four years then went to Scunthorpe, Boston United and then Antwerp. Playing in Belgium was a great experience because the football there is totally different.
”I went back to Irish football and that’s where I kickstarted my career again.”
He added: ”Irish football is on the up again, with Shamrock Rovers in the Europa League group stages while at Sligo Rovers we won the cup and finished second in the league.
”There is a big Irish influence in Scotland at the moment, with both managers and players here, and hopefully I can prove myself as the latest decent one.
”I would describe myself as the kind of player who likes to get on the ball and make things happen. I suppose ‘playmaker’ is the way to say it. I just can’t wait for the new year to come so I can get started.”
Ryan says he is already feeling at home.
”I have been made to feel very welcome,” he said. ”Jon Daly is helping me find a house and a car so it helps that you have other Irish boys as well.
”I have also known Willo Flood for a long time we played against each other as kids and then in the same Ireland teams together.
”I spoke to Willo before I came over. He was very positive about the club and I’ve got a good feeling about the place already.”
Ryan will now be put through a mini pre-season before possibly making his debut against Aberdeen on January 2.