Jack Ross insists Mathew Cudjoe has a big future at Dundee United – despite being linked with a Premier League switch.
The Ghanaian teenager only signed for the Tangerines last season and despite playing just handful of games, it’s been reported that Brighton have him on their radar. Ross didn’t know much about the 18-year-old attacker before he arrived at Tannadice in the summer but has been impressed with the early impression he has made during pre-season.
Cudjoe, himself, has already set himself big goals and confirmed last season he would love to eventually help Ghana to be African champions and to play in the Champions League. United boss Ross said: “Matthew is a young player who has impressed us. I knew a bit about him before coming here through my knowledge of players and also speaking to Liam Fox.
“Matthew has had a really strong pre-season, he’s taken his chances when they came along. He has done really well in the games he’s played since I came in.”
Ross admitted the young African is a match winner and knows he needs to keep working hard. He admitted: “Matthew has the ability to eliminate people, he takes people on and wants to score goals so I have been delighted with him.
“All you can do as an 18-year-old is take your opportunity when it comes along and he’s done that. He’s with us, he trained this morning with us and is embracing the opportunity he’s had with us. So I don’t know where it came from because he’s very much part of our squad.”
Ross will take his competitive bow as United manager when he leads his side out at Rugby Park on Saturday. It could see him give debuts to his new summer signings Mark Birighitti, Steven Fletcher and Craig Sibbald.
United have also announced the signing of Australian international defender Aziz Bechich but he is unlikely to have his paperwork in place in time for Saturday. Ross knows Kilmarnock will be very much up for it under a manager, in Derek McInnes, who has taken them back to the Premiership.
The 46-year-old is a big fan of McInnes and confirmed he has been a big influence on him since he stepped into the dugout at Alloa Athletic. Ross warned: “Kilmarnock will be a tough opening game. I have spoken often enough about my admiration for Derek because he’s been really good to me since I started out in management at Alloa. He is someone that I have the utmost respect for and someone who I still speak with regularly.”
McInnes had eight years at Aberdeen where the Pittodrie club were continually in European competition. The Dons missed out this season for the first time and he thinks only now people are realising the job that McInnes did in his time at Pittodrie.
Ross claimed: “People are understanding now fully how good a job he did at Aberdeen for such a long time. He showed what a good manager he is by bringing Kilmarnock up at the first time of asking as well.
"Being back in the Premiership is huge for them and that means this weekend will be a big occasion. It’s going to be a challenge but it’s a good challenge to have. Every game in the Premiership is difficult so this one won’t be any different.”
United make their Europa Conference League bow next week where they will take on the winners of the tie between AZ Alkmaar and Tuzla City. Ross has made it clear that all his focus is on Kilmarnock rather than any other games further down the line.
