Manager discusses return of Faissal El Bakhtaoui
Saturday, 14th Jul 201814/07/18: “He is coming back to somewhere where I’m sure that he is comfortable, he is confident and it is up to him to go and get the goals we need.
Allan Johnston felt that to say that the signing of Faissal El Bakhtaoui had taken “a bit of time“ was an understatement!
“Faiss has been here before and we were desperate to get him back on board. We knew the type of player that we were getting, the type of character he is and the qualities that he brings to the team.
“We have been really patient. It was not our decision, he is Dundee’s player so it takes a bit of time. They have to get players in and we need to persuade Faiss to come.
Manager discusses signings of El Bakhtaoui and Hippolyte
Fri, 13th Jul 2018
“He was delighted to come, he wants his career back on track. It is a place where the fans love him and there is nothing better as a player when you are going to a club and you know that the manager likes you, the fans love you and I think it will be really good for him. Hopefully he hits the ground running.”
The manager acknowledged that Faiss is always going to be a fans’ favourite:-
“He has got skills, he has energy, he has got pace and he can score goals. He brings a bit of everything to the team. We are obviously absolutely delighted to get somebody of his quality added to the team. It gives everybody a lift - supporters and players.”
In his two seasons at Dundee, Faiss made 37 starts and another 29 appearances off the bench. The 25 year old scored six goals for the Dee but AJ felt that his new signing had gain experience playing at a higher level, he had been playing in a different role there maybe a bit wider while he sees him more as a striker:-
“I think that was where he is more effective, I think that is where is prefers playing so hopefully it sets him up to go and score a few goals to get us challenged at the top.”
The manager reminded those present that the game is not all about the one player it is a team game and they all need to be playing well.
“We need to be creating chances, obviously Faiss thrives off that as well and either create goals or scores goals. He is coming back to somewhere where I’m sure that he is comfortable, he is confident and it is up to him to go and get the goals we need.
“He trained on Friday but he is not doing the full lot because he picked up a calf injury when he was at Dundee so we are needing him in lightly just not to take any chances.”
Whether he is fit to feature on Tuesday against Peterhead will depend on how he looks by then and whether he is 100 per cent ready to play.
Neither Faiss nor the other Dundee loanee, James Vincent will be able to play against Dundee in the Betfred Cup match on Sunday 22 July.
The manager agreed that when players return to a club sometimes that does not work out the same way as it had done before but added:-
“I think with somebody like Faiss, his age, still young and desperate to do well and be successful then that is the kind of mixture that you are looking for. Coming back will be fine and I’m sure that he will have another very successful season.”
Views : 4,651
