There can be few if any footballers in the world who have sat on the bench during a game for one club and then immediately afterwards, walked across the road to sign for another team.
However, that’s the rare distinction that Craig Curran can now include on his CV.
The 29-year-old striker signed a three-year deal with Dundee United during the summer and was an unused sub for the Tangerines at Tannadice on Saturday as they drew with Partick Thistle.
However, while prepared to play if called upon, the former Ross County front man already knew that near neighbours Dundee had agreed a deal to snap him up.
After the game, he made the short walk up to Dens to sign for Jim McIntyre, a manager he knows well from their time together at the Staggies.
And having been relegated with the Highland club last season, Curran is determined he won’t experience the same fate with his new team now.
He said: “We knew it was done before then (being a sub).
“I had to be professional about it. I cracked on and got on with it.
“I just walked across the road after the game although I did take my United tracksuit off first. I don’t think I would have got in the door otherwise!
“United knew I wanted to come and work with Jim again and the lure of playing in the Premiership was strong.
“It was a no-brainer to come and work with him again. I know what he expects and he knows the qualities I bring.
“We are in a fight, no doubt about it. But the lads are up for it.
“I also wanted to try to put last year right as well. That left a bitter taste in the mouth.
“If I didn’t think we could do it I wouldn’t be here. It (relegation) was horrible. It wasn’t nice at all.
“I had a lot of great memories at Ross County so it was difficult.
“I still look back and think we could have done things better.
“But, hopefully that experience will help this time.
“I know what is required. I know what the gaffer is looking for.”
Despite only winning two league games all season, the bottom-of-the-table Dark Blues are still only two points behind St Mirren in 11th and four off Hamilton in 10th.
And Curran admitted it is vital that McIntyre’s men are not detached.
He added: “We have to play all these teams as well so it is still in our own hands.
“It is going to be difficult but we have quality in our squad – we just need to bring hunger and appetite.”
While Curran experienced the bitter blow of relegation last season at Ross County, he was also part of a great escape when McIntyre took over in Dingwall during the 2014-15 season when the Staggies were bottom at Christmas.
Curran said: “We were nine or 10 points off it and still stayed up.
“The key was taking it game by game.
“It’s about fighting and scrapping and coming away with 1-0 wins.
“Once we got on a run the football became a lot more fluent.
“But, first we need to start winning in any way we can.”
