Kenny Miller has revealed that Dundee manager Neil McCann had a “huge impact” on his decision to join the Dark Blues on a two-year contract.
The former Scotland striker penned his deal at Dens yesterday with the 38-year-old a free agent after leaving his position as Livingston player/manager earlier this month.
A whole host of clubs including ones abroad were determined to snap up the veteran front man with St Mirren understood to be leading the chase for his signature.
However, the chance to link up with his former Rangers and Scotland team-mate McCann made Miller decide Dens was the place for him to continue his playing career with the veteran almost certain to be handed a start against Motherwell on Saturday as Dundee look for their first league win of the season.
Miller said: “It has been a busy few days getting everything tied off and going through the process of getting a new club.
“That’s taken just a wee bit longer and dragged on but I am absolutely delighted it’s at an end now and I am really looking forward to getting the boots back on.
“Hopefully I will be involved in the game on Saturday. After missing just one game at the weekend, I am really keen and eager to get back into action.
“Obviously I have a long-standing relationship with the manager.
“We go back to my first time with Rangers in 2000 where the manager had been there a year, a year and half before I joined.
“We travelled together and we have always remained – I wouldn’t say close – but we spoke.
“We also played for a number of years with Scotland.
“He is somebody I really respect and I like the way his team tries to play.
“So overall, the manager has had a huge impact on the decision to come to Dundee.
“There aren’t many teams who try to play the way Dundee play so I think it will really suit my game, I think I will be able to help the team and make them better so I am really looking forward to getting down to training and the first game.”
Miller admitted the fact he had signed a two-year deal shows great commitment from the club and himself.
He said: “It is – definitely. It is something that is pretty rare when you get to my age.
“It was something that I was really keen to do and I am really grateful that the club were keen to do that as well.
“It is a great opportunity now to kick-start the season.
“I have watched a lot of the games and Dundee have been very unfortunate in the first three league games.
“So hopefully I can bring a wee bit of experience and help the boys get the season kick-started.
“Some of the football has been fantastic but maybe some of the luck hasn’t been on our side.
“Hopefully that will change at the weekend.”
Meanwhile, Craig Wighton’s proposed move to Dundee’s Premiership rivals Hearts is still to be concluded.
However, 21-year-old is still expected to sign for the Edinburgh side for a six-figure fee once formalities have been concluded.
