DUFC

UNITED SIGN STUART DUFF

2nd May 2002

In a lunchtime press conference held at Tannadice today, Manager Alex Smith was pleased to announce the signing of Stuart Duff on a three-year deal with Club. "I am extremely delighted, Stuart is a two-footed versatile player who can play in all four back positions, as well as in midfield. He is another player who has come through our youth system. I am sure that if he continues to work hard, and I have no reason to believe that he won't, he can go very far indeed."

Having made a total of eight first team appearances for the Club, Stuart came on initially for the injured Jamie McCunnie to make a fine debut against Kilmarnock. He then impressed again with this skill, athleticism and speed in games against Hearts and Celtic. He also showed that he has the temperament to deal with, for instance, the local derby when he excelled at Dens on 20th April.

Manager Alex Smith gave Under-21s coach Maurice Malpas, who in his own playing career was renowned for playing all back positions as well as in midfield, particular credit for Duff's remarkable development in a very short space of time. "Obviously, the player's own ability is crucial however Maurice has been a major factor in the player gaining the necessary knowledge to handle all these positions. It just highlights the type of tuition youngsters at United receive. And look at the other young Club-bred players we have recently signed, O'Donnell, Wilson, Winters. They can all play in a wide variety of positions and give the team added stability. Duff does so in a very athletic style. He can run, and run well for 90 minutes. It augurs well, for both United in the present and in the longer term for Scotland Coach Berti Vogts."