Emmanuel Adegboyega watched the first Dundee derby of the season on television and said to himself: “I need to be part of this!”
The on-loan defender will get his chance when Dundee United take the short walk up the road tomorrow afternoon. Adegboyega was still at Norwich City when United and Dundee drew 2-2 at Tannadice in the Premiership opener and it whetted his appetite to make his own move to Tayside.
The Republic of Ireland under-21 cap admitted: “I watched the first derby of the season on TV before I came up to Scotland. I saw that atmosphere and just thought: “I need to be part of this!”
“There had been a bit of communication before that game, but nothing was set in stone.
“I was still trying to make up my mind about my next move, so I watched that game.
“It was an easy decision after that – “I fancy some of that”.
The 21-year-old is hoping that his move to the City of Discovery will bring a change in fortune in his derby experiences. He was a regular in the Louth derby but he didn’t get much joy as he ran the wrath of his hometown by making the move from Dundalk to Drogheda.
Adegboyega explained: “That was my first experience of a derby, having moved from Dundalk to Drogheda, and I did get a bit of hate from people in my hometown.
“The rivalry wasn’t on the biggest scale – like the derby here – but it was very strong and a lot of passion.
“I’m not sure what the history is but they are side by side and really don’t like each other.
“I played in that derby four times with Drogheda and unfortunately didn’t win any – they got the better of us.
“But I’m hearing the Dundee derby is next level to be involved in. It’s something I can’t wait to experience; the game, the atmosphere, the walk to the stadium.
“I’m going to relish every moment, because it’s not every day you get these occasions.”
United have proved to be the top team on Tayside this season. They are fourth and well clear of the Dark Blues. They go in on a high after Kevin Holt’s last-minute winner against Aberdeen.
The young defender stated: “I think that was probably the best of the lot because it was the last game of 2024, and we were desperate to finish strongly.
“We showcased that ‘never give up’ energy.
“What I witnessed on Sunday was why I came to this club.
“A sold-out stadium, proper football and an incredible atmosphere. It was amazing.”
Adegboyega admitted he is loving life in Scotland and working under Goodwin. He has also praised the likes of Holt and Declan Gallagher who have given him a helping hand.
He said: “I was very happy with my own performance, playing in a back four rather than a three.
“But having Kev (Holt) beside me makes that a lot easier.
“The communication is great, he’s always talking to me, and we had enough to see the game through.
“As an older, experienced player, he is a massive influence. I don’t think he ever stops talking!
“That’s a real positive; he’s always telling me to scan or do this and do that. I also try to be vocal and speak too but, as a young player, I’m always listening, listening, listening.
“I want to take everything on board because his influence is next level.
“Learning off the experienced players – Deccy (Gallagher) as well – is massive for my own development and career.”
Adegboyega is also loving the action-packed festive period and revelling in it.
He stated: “I’m relishing the challenge.
“These are big games, and you want to show you can be a big game player; it’s why we play football. We all want to prove we can play in these games and come out on top when it matters.
“There are only 12 teams in this league, with some top teams, and every single match is a tough one, so when you have these back-to-back games, it drives the mentality.
“You need to tell yourself, mentally, that you are not tired.
“You can feel that momentum building – we always want to start strong – and we want to carry that into the next year.”