Dario Naamo given Dundee United rave review as Finland insider maps 'high level' talent's path to to the top
Stevie Grieve has insisted Dario Naamo is 'a high level talent' who can become a very big asset for Dundee United.
Jim Goodwin has snapped up the Finnish under-21 wing-back on a season-long loan from St Polten, with an option to buy.
Grieve previously had Naamo at SJK and gave Dundee United a glowing recommendation as they did their homework on him ahead of his Tannadice switch.
Grieve said: 'I spoke to Ross Goodwin (head of recruitment)on Tuesday and Luigi Capuano a few weeks ago. I sent Luigi a couple of players. Ross called me to discuss him.
"He was aware of what we are doing as a club. A lot of clubs in Europe are aware of what we are doing because we have one of the youngest senior teams in world football.
'I explained all the characteristics but Ross had done his homework on him and had seen he was a player. He professional and he has a good background.
'His mentality is his biggest thing. He will succeed wherever he goes, as long as he gets the chance to play and is given a run in the team then I can see him becoming a big asset for Dundee United.
'I can't speak more highly of the boy He is going to be a high level talent in the future.'
Naamo has just come back from being involved at the under-21 European Championships. He will offer full-back and wing-back options on both sides for Goodwin's side.
'Dario can play both sides as a full-back or a wing back,' the SJK head coach confirmed. 'He is a very good athlete. He is very quick and his acceleration over the first 10 to 15 yards is excellent.
'He has the balance and agility to get out of tricky situations, especially when a ball goes in behind. He can dribble with both sides. 'He is not the biggest but physically he is strong.
'On the ball, he is very good. St Polten used him more as wing back. His recovery rate is very high and so is his speed.
'At SJK, we gave him a free role. He played right back but came into the middle and joined in. We could also use him going outside and he has worked hard on his final ball.
'He also gets in at the back post and has added that goal threat to his game. He is a really exciting talent.'
Grieve managed to snap up Naamo after their rivals Honka went bust.
He recalled: 'He had played 700 minutes for Honka and he had played pretty well. He showed all the things I look for in a young player.
'He is brave on the ball, he tries to get away with the ball when he is under pressure and he likes to drive the game forward. 'As I said, he was good under pressure and can retain the ball.
'He was only 18 and that is not always easy. He can play off either foot and can get away from people.
'Honka went bankrupt and we were able to get him for free. We told him if he came to SJK he would play and we would develop him.
'We highlighted areas where we felt he could develop and I told him how we were going to play. He was excited to come. I gave him a free role and we knew what we were getting.'
Character is a big thing for Naamo. He struggled initially at SJK but went away and worked at his game and became the best full-back in Finland before he moved to Austria.
Grieve added: 'In pre-season, he struggled a little bit. It was the mechanical nature of our training.
'He went away and strengthened his core and pelvis and he managed to get through that difficult spell. 'When the season started, he improved week on week and towards the end of the season, he was comfortably the best full-back in Finland. He was good.
'St Polten gave us a good loan fee and there was an obligation to buy. The ownership went bankrupt and we are still waiting on our money.'
Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.
You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
10 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Grieve honoured to return to Defender Burghley Horse Trials
Grieve, 43, will take to the saddle once more in three week's time at Burghley House in Stamford as he competes across three disciplines of show jumping, dressage and cross-country at the prestigious competition. The Leicestershire-based event rider will compete on Autograf, a 13-year-old British-bred sport horse, and will be cheered on by plenty of friends and family as he competes at the 5* event under an hour from his home. 'It's basically like having the events in our back garden, near enough,' he said. 'What's great about the event is there is something for everyone so even my neighbours will be coming to watch because they're coming to have a lovely time and also I'll be here as well. 'It's lovely to have local support and knowing that lots of my mates will be here. It's wonderful in that respect.' Grieve's family have long been involved in the world-renowned eventing competition throughout the years he has competed, having first ridden in 2012. Their attendance will once more be expected to cheer him on around the course as he recalls fond memories of past competitions with his mum. 'My mum has been a fence judge for lots of years and she's been fence judging every time I've competed and I've always shouted, 'Hi Mum!' as I've jumped her jump which is quite sweet,' enthused Grieve. 'Last time I was here and I was approaching her jump she said to someone, 'Oh, he'll say 'Hi mum,'' and I was like, 'Hi Mum!' and she was like, 'See!' 'So Mum will definitely be here and Dad hopefully as well. My sister is actually fence judging this time which is cool.' Having completed the course an impressive six times before, Grieve is hoping to improve his performance once more, but mainly the privilege of attending means he is also focused on enjoying the whole experience. 'To just compete is a massive feather in the cap but to actually win doesn't even bear thinking about. I couldn't imagine if I won, I would be doing cartwheels everywhere,' he said. 'My expectations this time round. I just want to improve on the last time that I was here and try and up my placing a little bit. 'Maybe I would like to up my pace on the cross country a little bit because I am quite slow in that respect. This horse actually moves quite nicely so should contest. 'But mostly I want to have a lovely time, I want my horse to have a really lovely time and come back safe having enjoyed the experience. 'It's all about that really, I want my horse to have enjoyed it more than anything.' Grieve will experience the reverse of the cross country course for the first time since 2017 which will bring a new challenge to riders in 2025. And though such a change will bring a fresh excitement, the historic event which has been at the pinnacle of eventing for decades will remain as special as ever for riders and spectators alike. 'Burghley has got such an amazing atmosphere in every sense,' added Grieve. 'It's a really tough competition so it's really exciting to watch, but equally there's a huge village of trade stands and shops and experiences and things for everybody. 'It's not just for horsey folks, it's also for anybody else. It's something that all the family can enjoy so it's really worth coming to. 'It's a great experience for everybody and I really do hope many people come to enjoy the day.' Defender Burghley Horse Trials (4-7 September 2025) has been a major international sporting and social event for over 50 years. It attracts the world's top equestrians and is attended by vast and enthusiastic crowds. For more information visit
The National
11 hours ago
- The National
Ange told me I'd get limited Celtic minutes, here's why I still joined
The goalkeeper was brought in on a free transfer from Dundee United in the summer of 2022. Siegrist went on to make just two competitive appearances for the Parkhead club. He now finds himself on loan at Serie A side Genoa from FC Rapid of Romania. Recently speaking on The Bondi Podcast, he opened up about his chat with Postecoglou that convinced him to join Celtic. "I had this famous phone call with Ange Postecoglou," said Siegrist. Read more: "When he calls, you say yes. It's one of those, when he speaks, you just buy into it. He's a fantastic coach, a fantastic motivator. As soon as he starts speaking, the deal's done. "He said, 'Look, you're not guaranteed anything, but, you know, if you put the work in, I guarantee you will get an opportunity'. "He's going to try and make you a better player, and he said to me, 'Look, you can go sign for another team, play another 100 games, or you can come here, learn something, develop yourself, and I was like, 'Yeah, sign me up'.' "There's an expectancy of delivering for this club [Celtic], and I wanted to be part of it."
BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
'He's done brilliant' - set-play coach Grant brings 'huge value' to Hearts
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes has hailed the impact of set-play coach Ross joined in June from Dundee United, having previously worked under former Hearts and Scotland coach Austin side continued their flawless start to the season on Saturday at Tannadice with a 3-2 win where all three goals stemmed from dead-ball McInnes says Grant's influence has been important as Hearts seek minor gains."Set-plays have always been a huge part for any team," he said. "I've seen the gains that can be made and as a manager, you have to take advantage. There's a lot of clubs so finely balanced and sometimes set-plays can be the difference. "We've obviously brought in Ross to aid us with that and it's his job to look forensically at the opposition and where we can get gains. "It's something we've always done as a staff, but we've got that added time and added focus on it from Ross. He's done brilliant and long may it continue."It's about identifying areas where we can get as much joy as possible. Underneath it all, it's about good deliveries, good timing and aggressive players wanting to get on the end of it. "I'm glad we've got Ross. He's been huge value to us and it's good that he's getting recognition for his work because his work is good."
