With three goals in as many Dundee appearances, their latest hero to emerge is 21-year-old Andrew Nelson. Having previously played at a lower level in the Scottish football scene, how did he sneak under the radar?
Nelson joined Sunderland’s academy at the age of seven, rejecting North East of England rivals Middlesbrough and Newcastle United. Having not made a single first team appearance, Nelson enjoyed several loan spells whilst at the Stadium of Light.
Just a youngster out on loan
He couldn’t prevent Hartlepool United being relegated from the Football League in his first loan spell. In the following campaign, he also dropped a division the next season to sign for Harrogate Town. Despite featuring in four games for both clubs each, he scored once whilst at Harrogate.
At the start of January 2018, he signed for Falkirk until the end of the season. A mainstay in the team, he scored four and made three assists in 12 Championship appearances.
He signed for Darlington on loan for a month to regain fitness, scoring six goals from five games, also grabbing two assists whilst on loan at yet another National League North team.
Never far from the medical table
Unfortunate injuries appear to have been commonplace in the young striker’s career so far.
After fracturing his cheekbone at the Bairns, he returned to the Mackems. The club doctors must have been sick of the sight of him having also injured his medial knee ligaments whilst at Hartlepool. However, they haven’t halted him and he signed for Dundee in January until May 2021 for an undisclosed fee.
Super start
After scoring the winner at Tynecastle as the Dee earned an impressive victory in their quest for survival, he also netted a brace against Kilmarnock. With Jim McIntyre’s team having taken just 13 points so far in the league, Nelson has had his part to play in just under a quarter of them (three).
Impressive for a new signing that’s been at the club for a matter of weeks.
The goalscoring burden should be taken off Kenny Miller and if the likes of fellow January arrival Scott Wright are able to provide sufficient service, don’t be surprised if the Dee can steer clear to safety.