McDonald - we've got a gem

Last updated : 26 June 2008 By Tony Scholes
Kevin McDonald
Pic supplied by Burnley FC
Occasionally I'll receive an email or two from supporters of a player's previous club to inform me we've spent over the odds, he's not very good, and he'll turn out to be a waste of money. It's the usual sort of thing; we even got some from LOL fans last summer when we brought Robbie Blake back.

But sometimes it is just a bit different, and this week I've had a bag full of mail from Dundee fans. None of them are happy to see Kevin McDonald leave but none of them have had a bad word to say about him either as a footballer or as a person. The emails have continued to arrive with just about each one saying the same thing, that we've got a gem of a lad and a gem of a footballer.

Messages have been left on forums wishing him all the best at Burnley, there have been promises from some Dundee fans that they'll come down and watch him play for us. They accepted that eventually he'd leave and have thanked him for his contribution to Dundee.

"I wish Kevin the very best of luck at Burnley," said one poster, whilst another added: "Hope you do well Kevin - good luck for the future". Other comments included such as: "Burnley have a class player and future Scottish international for what seems like a small fee, but considering our situation a great return. Thanks again Kev and good luck."

Even the Dundee club themselves joined in. McDonald recently signed a new deal to ensure the club got a decent fee for him when he was sold. Had he moved to Burnley out of contract there would not even have been an under-24 compensation figure.

The Dundee official site, in reporting his sale, said: "When he signed his new deal Kevin said "You'll have to put up with me for a bit longer" - Good luck Kevin, It's been a pleasure putting up with you."

McDonald himself was happy to be in Burnley. "I am just delighted to come here and I just can't wait to get started," he said after signing his three year deal. "Obviously it is a big move, but it's a dream come true to get down here and I'll be looking to get settled in quickly by getting my girlfriend down, getting a house sorted and then looking forward to the football to start.

"I needed to think carefully about this move because there were other options. I could even have opted to stay at Dundee, but I decided to come here because I think it is the best option for me."

McDonald added: "It's just been a great time at Dundee and I want to thank them, but now I have moved on and it's time to get started here. I know the gaffer and he said so many good things about the club that I felt I should go for it."

And asked what he can bring to the Clarets he said: "I'd like to think I am a confident, creative midfielder who wants to score as many goals as I can. But the bigger picture is helping the team get where we want to be and that's the Premier League."

This was definitely a signing Owen Coyle was delighted to complete. "I have known Kevin since he made his debut at 16 when he played against my team St. Johnstone. I couldn't have been any more impressed by a young man who has developed each year into a fine footballer.

"He has progressed to such an extent that we felt we wouldn't get him at one point. There were some big, bug clubs courting his services, with Celtic and Everton among them, which Dundee had turned down at various stages.

"Again last year he took his game on and scored plenty of goals from midfield. He is 6ft 3ins, mobile, has a great physique and we feel we can make him even better in a good Burnley team for years to come."

His Dundee manager Alex Rae had suggested he should have gone somewhere better than Burnley but Coyle and McDonald don't agree and the manager added: "I have to say he had other offers, but I sat down with Kevin, his parents and representative and they were very much on board that Burnley is the right club for him.

"Echoing what Martin Paterson said, he felt it was the right club and we are genuinely excited to have signed such a young talent. I think the Burnley fans will identify with him and we hope he goes on to have a successful career with Burnley."