Dundee United's Liam Smith appears as much as the likes of Philipp Lahm and Joshua Kimmich however jokes he has been extra like Dani Alves in latest weeks.
The 25-year-old has made his title as a right-back however in latest video games United head coach Thomas Courts has pulled off a masterstroke by deploying him as a goal-getting midfielder.
Courts might be on the lookout for that to proceed when United host Celtic of their Scottish Cup quarter-final conflict at Tannadice on Monday.
The United star is a fan of German star Kimmich and the now-retired Lahm however admits he might have added one other dimension to his sport, extra like Barcelona’s Brazilian legend Alves.
Smith had simply 5 profession objectives earlier than he netted in United’s final two video games in opposition to Livingston and Hearts.
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And he mentioned: “Simply the kind of participant I’ve been rising up, I’ve checked out gamers corresponding to Philipp Lahm and Kimmich over Dani Alves and the flying full-backs.
“I’ve sort of gravitated in direction of boys like that as a result of I see myself extra as that sort of full-back.
“I’m not going to be YouTubing their clips or something like that however it's humorous that, rising up, I seemed extra in direction of them than Dani Alves or Kyle Walker.
“They're two boys who've performed proper on the very high and if you will get wherever close to them then you definitely’re doing alright I suppose.”
Smith had held down the right-back slot earlier than final week however is now revelling in his new position.
The 25-year-old mentioned: “Yeah, from a private standpoint I’m clearly delighted.
“I’m taking part in that wee bit larger up and moving into positions the place I can perhaps have an effect on video games a bit extra.
“It’s not one thing I’ve ever completed earlier than. I’m sort of studying as I am going.
“The way in which I play at full-back sort of helps by way of I wish to step in and cross the ball.
“I’ve taken that into the position I’m taking part in.
“I’ll play wherever the supervisor desires me to play.”
The choose of his objectives was a weekend screamer in opposition to Hearts of their 2-2 draw.
Smith recalled: “I used to be truly going to cross it till Sparky (Marc McNulty) was screaming at me to shoot. Fortunately I did and fortunately it ended up at the back of the online.
“I’ve scored ones from exterior the field earlier than however most likely none pretty much as good as that.”
United know it would take one thing particular, individually or collectively, to care for Treble-chasing Celtic within the Cup.
Smith added: “It’s a pleasant break from the league due to how intense and tight it's in the meanwhile.
“It’s a welcome distraction that we’ll be totally targeted on going into the sport. We’ll be assured of finishing up one other sport plan that may trigger injury to them and hopefully come away with the victory.
“The way in which we pressed within the second half in opposition to Hearts was like how we did in opposition to the
Outdated Agency.
“Everybody was on the identical web page and hopefully we are able to carry that into the following sport.”
The ‘Shed’ finish behind one of many Tannadice objectives has been saved for United followers on this cup tie somewhat than for a much bigger away contingent.
And Smith is hoping that additional backing might help them spring a shock.
He mentioned: “Matches beneath the floodlights all the time have that bit additional. It is going to be a very good night time and hopefully one we are able to do nicely in.
“The backing might be sensible. We obtained to the semis final yr and wish to equal that or do higher. That’s all the time been the intention.”