Dundee boss Paul Hartley believes the best is yet to come from Marcus Haber after the striker yesterday signed a new contract that will keep him at Dens until the summer of 2019.
The big Canadian has been a stand-out performer since joining the Dark Blues in October on a deal until the end of this season.
However, the former St Johnstone and Crewe front man’s displays have persuaded Hartley to award him the long-term extension and the manager admitted he was delighted to have the 26-year-old at the club for the foreseeable future.
He said: “It is very good news getting Marcus signed. He has made a huge difference for us since he came in.
“He is getting fitter game by game and has added something different to the team.
“I think he is a little bit under-rated in terms of his overall play but he has definitely helped the team.
“He needs to keep working hard – I still think there is a lot more to come from him.”
Hartley admitted that Haber knew if he did well for Dundee, then the carrot of a longer contract was there for him.
The manager said: “We just had to see. For both parties, if it didn’t work out then there wasn’t a long-term deal.
“But if it had worked out we would like him to be here for a lot longer so he has earned it.
“The players are also happy he is here. Speaking to them as a group and as individuals they all believe Marcus has made a big difference to the team.
“I think he can score more goals but for such a big lad, his touch is terrific, his hold-up play is good and he is difficult to play against.
“He brings a real presence, height and people can work off him.
“He has helped Craig Wighton and Faissal El Bakhtaoui. We expect a lot more from the three of them from now until the end of the season.
“Marcus was without a club in the summer so we took a chance and thankfully it has worked out.
“He has been a big player for me and the team.”
Hartley was yesterday linked with making a loan move for former St Johnstone striker Stevie May who is currently with Preston North End.
The manager would not be drawn on specific players but he did confirm he is still determined to strengthen with one or two quality additions during the transfer window although new faces are unlikely before tomorrow’s William Hill Scottish Cup tie against St Mirren at Dens.
He said: “We have been linked with a few players but I don’t really want to comment.
“We will see where it takes us at the end of the window but we are hopeful of bringing one good addition in.
“We don’t want to bring another face in just for the sake of it but the players we have enquired about are of good quality.
“We are in for five or six players. If we get one or even two we would be happy but there will be none before Saturday.
“We are just trying to get as many options as we can. If we don’t get any, it will not be through a lack of trying.”
Dundee currently have a clean bill of health as far as injuries are concerned but they will be without skipper Darren O’Dea once again tomorrow.
The big Irishman missed the recent 3-0 victory over St Johnstone because of illness and he is now suspended for the St Mirren game after picking up two cautions in last season’s competition.
Hartley said: “The physio is having a good time just now. There is nobody on the table, they are all fit.
“James McPake and Nicky Low will play in a bounce game tonight just to up their fitness.
“Darren O’Dea, though, is suspended for Saturday’s game because of two bookings last season and he is also banned for the league match against Aberdeen.
“It is a blow for us but the performance of the defence against St Johnstone was impressive.”
Dundee fans do not need any reminding that the only time the club has won the Scottish Cup was away back in 1910.
Hartley though insists that all his players are concerned about is making it through to the next round.
Smiling, he said: “Obviously, I haven’t been part of that going back more than 100 years.
“We managed to get to the cup final in 2003 and we want to get as far as we can again.
“It is not easy in the cups. They are all about playing well, getting lucky and having home draws.
“So all we have asked of the players is just to progress to the next round.”
