Dundee United striker Simon Murray believes the arrival of Nick van der Velden can bring out the best in him.
Murray stole the show with a hat-trick as the Tangerines crushed Cowdenbeath 6-1 in the Betfred Cup at Tannadice on Tuesday night and, going back to the tail end of last season, is on a run of eight goals in seven matches.
The former Arbroath frontman finds himself with greater competition for the forward places at United after the signing of 34-year-old Van der Velden.
The veteran Dutchman came off the bench to play 30 minutes of the Cowden match and that was enough time to show the supporters that he could turn out to be a very good bit of business.
He looks like being a real contender for a regular starting spot when he gets up to full match fitness but Murray sees his new teammate as a help rather than a hindrance to his own career opportunities.
Murray said: “Nick has played in the top league in Holland for 13 years so he is experienced and we know he will be a boost to our team.
“It does keep you on your toes as a striker when you see someone like him come in but hopefully I can stay in the team.
“Indeed, I feel it can bring out the best in me – 100%.
“The reason is that when you are playing with better players you learn from them.
“The gaffer has definitely added a lot of quality to the team which can only be a good thing.
“As well as Nick, we have just Willo Flood and Cammy Smith.
“Willo is obviously more experienced than what we’ve had and you could see that by the way he was running the show.
“Also, Cammy put over some great balls and you love that as a striker.
“The team is now creating chances all the time.
“Maybe that’s what we lacked last season – a bit of creativity.
“All of those boys are going to feature a lot for us this season so it’s looking good overall.”
Understandably so, Murray is delighted to have bagged three goals this early in the season but he wouldn’t reveal the target he has set himself for the campaign ahead.
“I’m delighted with the hat-trick and maybe I have put down a marker,” he said.
“Obviously the performance from the boys was the most important thing but for me the hat-trick is special as it is my first for the club.
“I started nine games and scored seven goals last season.
“Now that’s 11 starts with 10 goals so I’m sure any striker would take that.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more.
“I just want to score as many as I can but I am not getting carried away.
“I’ve got my targets but I will keep them to myself!
“I think I will tell you when I hit them.
“Maybe that’s what we lacked last season, a bit of creativity.”
United boss Ray McKinnon has revealed that Van der Velden may not be his last signing of the summer, although a couple of departures may have to happen first.
He said: “It is all about building.
“We will benefit from that Cowdenbeath game in terms of fitness.
“I liked the way, in the second half, that they kept the tempo up and kept passing the ball.
“It was also nice to get all the boys we have just signed on to the park.
“We can still probably do with another couple of players.”
Meanwhile, former United midfielder Ryan Gauld has gone on loan to Vitoria Setubal in Portugal from his parent club Sporting.
